It hasn’t been the best start to the season for Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 overall draft pick out of the 2022 first round for the Rockets. But there were clear signs of progress by both Smith and fellow rookie Tari Eason in Wednesday’s 116-109 loss at Toronto (box score).
Fred VanVleet led the veteran-laden Raptors with 32 points and 4 assists, including 7-of-16 on 3-pointers (43.8%). Jalen Green had another efficient night for Houston with 21 points and 6 assists on 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%), along with 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%).
But what kept the Rockets competitive to the final whistle was strong supporting cast production on both ends of the court by their duo of rookie forwards and second-year center Usman Garuba.
After scoring just 9 points in his last three games combined, Smith posted the second double-double of his young NBA career with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Eason, his rookie counterpart, added 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals off the bench, while Garuba tallied 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocked shots in only 14 minutes as the backup behind Alperen Sengun (17 points, 8 rebounds).
Neither rookie was efficient, with Smith and Eason shooting 36.4% and 33.3%, respectively, but their energy kept the Rockets competitive against a veteran opponent with big names like O.G. Anunoby (18 points, 10 rebounds) and reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes (13 points, 8 rebuonds, 5 assists) in the frontcourt.
Other Houston players to score in double figures included:
- Eric Gordon: 10 points, 30.0% FG, 16.7% on 3-pointers, 29 minutes (Rockets -14 when on court)
- Kevin Porter Jr.: 12 points, 36.4% FG, 16.7% on 3-pointers, 11 assists, 5 turnovers, 40 minutes (-8)
- KJ Martin: 13 points, 83.3% FG, 66.7% on 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 23 minutes (team-high +18)
The Rockets fell to 2-10, while Toronto improved to 7-5.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews from Toronto. Houston will finally conclude its four-game road trip on Saturday in New Orleans, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. Central.
Rockets have given away quite a few late-game possessions. Can’t afford to do that here. Raptors in six games this season with a five-point margin in the final five minutes, have made 61.3 percent of their shots, and 55.6 percent of their 3s.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 10, 2022
#Rockets fall at the Raptors, 116-109. Green: 21p, 6r, 6a. Sengun: 17p, 8r. Eason: 14p, 6r, 5a, 5stl
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) November 10, 2022
Don’t see the Rockets go with Smith, Sengun and Eason together very often. Eason brining his usual disruptive energy. He has four steals. But lowering his head and going to rim with every touch not working too well. He is 5 of 15.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 10, 2022
The Tari Eason Experience is remarkable, enthralling, exasperating, and exhilarating.
— Andrew Soukup (@asoukuptx) November 10, 2022
Silas does have great ATO plays
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 10, 2022
I don’t know how many caught what Jalen Green said going to the bench, but he said, “My fault.” That’s what you like to see in one of your leaders…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 10, 2022
Not talk about enough but the Rockets free throw shooting is definitely better this year
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 10, 2022
Takeaways from this game:
????Rockets ball movement is getting better
????KJ is the Rockets best sf right now
????RUN THE OFFENSE THROUGH SENGUN
????Defense is still an issue but rim protection is getting
better
????Can’t give up 22 off rebounds and expect to
win— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 10, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. might be quietly having his best game of the young season right after arguably his worst. Against a really solid team too. Love that bounce back.
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) November 10, 2022
“I feel like it’s just confidence, just trusting my work, being aggressive, being real precise with what I’m doing, not hesitating, and just playing my game,” Jabari Smith said of what will get him going again. “I feel like it’s going to come. I’m not worried at all.” #Rockets https://t.co/BbeimawgZm
— Chris A. White ???? (@fyrebear) November 9, 2022
One of the issues with Houston’s halfcourt execution is after the initial action, there seems to be miscommunication on what the next read should be. Leads to a lot of clock running, stagnation and confusion.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 10, 2022
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