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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Takeaways: Cam Whitmore dazzles off bench as Rockets win preseason opener

Led by a balanced effort with six players scoring in double figures, the Rockets opened their 2023-24 NBA preseason at Toyota Center with Tuesday’s 122-103 home win (box score) over the Indiana Pacers. Houston is now 1-0 in exhibition play.

Rookie forward Cam Whitmore followed up his summer-league MVP performance with more dynamic play off Houston’s bench, scoring 15 points in 17 minutes on 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%) and 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%). Houston went +21 as a team in that time, and that plus/minus clip was the best of any player for either team.

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For head coach Ime Udoka, Whitmore’s strong showing offers even more to consider as he evaluates his rotation options.

Other players who scored in double-figures included:

  • Alperen Sengun: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks in 24 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 6-of-10 on free throws (60.0%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block in 23 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 5-of-5 on free throws
  • Jalen Green: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 24 minutes; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 0-of-4 on 3-pointers, 1-of-5 on free throws (20.0%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 4 assists in 25 minutes; 3-of-11 shoting (27.3%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Tari Eason: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals in 21 minutes; 5-of-6 shooting (83.3%)

Eason played additional minutes with the starters after an early ejection by Dillon Brooks, who was given a flagrant-two foul less than five minutes into the game for an altercation with Daniel Theis.

The Pacers (0-2) were led by reserve forward Aaron Nesmith, who had 18 points in 20 minutes on 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%).

Here’s a look at key highlights from Tuesday’s game, along with how media members and fans reacted in real-time. As for the Rockets, they will continue exhibition play on Thursday night in Birmingham, Alabama, with a matchup versus the New Orleans Pelicans.

Oct. 10 Rockets-Pacers preseason reaction

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