The recent surge by rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. continues for the young Houston Rockets.
Smith had 24 points and 12 rebounds — his third consecutive game with 20 or more points and 10-plus rebounds — as the Rockets pulled a massive 111-109 upset over the visiting Boston Celtics, one of the NBA’s best teams, on Monday (box score).
“I’m just letting it go,” Smith told AT&T SportsNet’s Vanessa Richardson of his improvements as a shooter. “I’m trusting my work. I’ve been playing basketball since I was born. I’m trusting my work, trusting what got me here, and just letting it fly.”
Boston fell to 47-22 with the shocking loss. Houston improved to 16-52. The win didn’t immediately harm the Rockets in the 2023 draft race, either, since fellow bottom-feeder Detroit (16-53) had an upset win of its own over Indiana.
Smith, who started at center due to a minor injury for Alperen Sengun, connected on 9-of-11 shots (81.8%) against the Celtics, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range (83.3%). Jalen Green scored a team-high 28 points for Houston, while starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. dished 13 assists while committing one turnover.
KJ Martin added 20 points and 8 rebounds and was a force when attacking the rim in transition, making 8-of-13 shots (61.5%).
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 43 points on 16-of-25 shooting (64%), including 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40%). Fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum had 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, though he shot just 8-of-22 from the field (36.4%), 2-of-10 on 3-pointers (20.0%), and his attempt at a tying shot in the final seconds rolled off the rim.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interviews. Next up is Houston’s third game of this six-game homestand on Wednesday versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Jabari Smith Jr knocked down 5 threes in the win vs the Celtics!
Last 3 Games
24 PTS, 12 REB, 5 3PT (82% FG)
20 PTS, 10 REB, 2 3PT (57% FG)
30 PTS, 12 REB, 3 3PT (53% FG)pic.twitter.com/1cmjmqfEjK— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 14, 2023
🚨 Jabari Smith Jr. is the first teenager in NBA History to have 3 straight games with 20 Points and 10 Rebounds. pic.twitter.com/s5Psg3oJ7n
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 14, 2023
Really glad Bill Simmons got to see Jalen Green (28pts 7ast) and Jabari Smith (24pts 12rbs) hand the Celtics a loss! #Rockets https://t.co/GtBqD7O2tC
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 14, 2023
Don’t get it twisted. Jalen landed the ship tonight https://t.co/r8D9KSyQSI
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) March 14, 2023
Stephen Silas to @BigSargeSportz on Kevin Porter Jr. (13 assists, 1 turnover as #Rockets beat Boston):
"That's some big-time progress."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 14, 2023
Jalen Green in the first quarter:
16 PTS 🔥
5/8 FG
2/4 3PT
4/4 FTThat’s the most points he’s ever scored in a first quarter. pic.twitter.com/D4vDD7k7DL
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 14, 2023
#Rockets beat the Celtics 111-109
Another big night from Jabari Smith Jr
🚀24 PTS🚀9-11 FG🚀5-6 3PT🚀12 REB🚀@jabarismithjr with our @SportsVanessa after the @HoustonRockets WIN pic.twitter.com/0wQIf1cHLj— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 14, 2023
Houston Rockets HC Stephen Silas talks about the maturity level of guard Kevin Porter Jr. this season and how his game has evolved since last season. #Sarge #Rockets @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/RoQEObfqE1
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 14, 2023
#Rockets Jabari Smith Jr last 3 games
🏀AT IND – 30 PTS, 12 REB
🏀VS CHI – 20 PTS, 10 REB
🏀VS BOS – 24 PTS, 12 REBJalen Green & Stephen Silas talked @jabarismithjr after the @HoustonRockets 111-109 win over the Celtics pic.twitter.com/ft684IwoqR
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 14, 2023
#Rockets WIN !!!@HoustonRockets beat the Boston Celtics 111-109
Kevin Porter Jr and Stephen Silas after the game pic.twitter.com/vXgNrbvcOc
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 14, 2023
USMAN GARUBA 2 BIG 3⃣'S
in the #Rockets 111-109 win over the Celtics@HoustonRockets @Usmangaruba pic.twitter.com/7bMagMlF5c— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 14, 2023
Incredible stat:#Rockets are 3-0 at home vs. the top three teams in the Eastern Conference standings (Milwaukee, Boston, and Philadelphia)
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 14, 2023
