Prized rookie Jabari Smith Jr. wasn’t very efficient in his first three NBA games, but that changed in a big way in Houston’s 114-108 victory (box score) over Utah on Monday.
Playing as a starting center for the first time, Smith had 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots against the Jazz in 34 minutes, shooting 6-of-10 from the field (60%) and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%). He also made all six of his free-throw attempts, including four straight in the final 30 seconds to put the game away.
Kevin Porter Jr. led the Rockets with 26 points and 10 rebounds on 8-of-19 shooting (42.1%), while backcourt mate Jalen Green added an efficient 25 points and 3 assists on 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%) and 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50%). Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 17 points and 4 assists on 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%).
It was the first loss of the 2022-23 regular season for Utah (3-1) and the first victory of the young season for Houston (1-3).
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews from Monday night at Toyota Center. The Rockets return to action Wednesday as they conclude this brief home-and-home series with the Jazz, with the tip from Salt Lake City set for 8 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Kevin Porter:
26 points
10 rebounds
4 assists
2 steals
1 block8-19 from the field
1-4 from 3-PT range
9-9 from the FT line— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) October 25, 2022
Best game of the year so far for Jabari Smith Jr. — 21 points on 6-10 FG, 3-5 3P, 6-6 FT, nine rebounds (three offensive), three blocks, two assists and one "pass the effin ball" moment.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 25, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. tonight:
21 points
9 rebounds
2 assists
3 blocks6/10 FG
3/5 3FG
6/6 FTLooked comfortable at the five on both ends and iced four huge free throws down the stretch to give the #Rockets the win.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 25, 2022
Pre-game in the locker room, Jalen Green told a few of his teammates “let’s get a win tonight, bruh.”
They must’ve listened.
The Rockets beat the Jazz to pick up their first W on the year.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) October 25, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. being able to score like he does with a team that Pounds the ball like the rockets do is a pretty special trait
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) October 25, 2022
I like that fire from the young Rockets…Them going at each other means that they are holding each other accountable and I like it…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 25, 2022
Ugly game but a nice win for the #Rockets. KPJ was really good. Jalen Green had a great 3rd quarter with energy from Usman Garuba and Tari Eason off the bench. Jabari Smith Jr. was in foul trouble but looked comfortable at the 5. Was a good night at Toyota Center.
— Brandon Scott (@brandonkscott) October 25, 2022
Stephen Silas on Usman Garuba: "I was happy with what (Usman) did and he's earning minutes by the day."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 25, 2022
This stuff happens in competitive sports, especially with young guys in the final seconds of high-stress situations. I don't think that level of passion is necessarily a bad thing. https://t.co/o83HQTVyOG
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 25, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. joins them with 21 points after icing four clutch free throws to give the #Rockets the win.
How many more times will this trio go 20+ in the same game? https://t.co/Ijesu5Gl7Q
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 25, 2022
Stephen Silas on Usman Garuba: "I was happy with what (Usman) did and he's earning minutes by the day."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 25, 2022
Jalen Green 25 points as the #Rockets beat the Jazz 114-108@SportsVanessa with @JalenGreen after the WIN@HoustonRockets #LightTheFuse pic.twitter.com/7xYJIHWnVP
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) October 25, 2022
Green: "It's gonna happen, heat of the moment, all that matters is we got out there and finished the game." https://t.co/A0Mmus4VPs
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) October 25, 2022
Silas: "Playing a more standard lineup with Jabari at the five, hopefully, Jabari can get some pick-and-pops and some trail jumpers, like we saw with him at the five some (in the first three games), so I wanted to see it." https://t.co/3QSdJVxQF9
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) October 25, 2022
Silas: "We needed one, obviously, and the way we did it, where we were fighting and had some adversity and fought through the adversity and fought back and they tied the game a couple of times, but we didn't break, and that's important."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) October 25, 2022
Silas on Jabari Smith Jr: "I thought his shot selection was really good. I don't think he forced any shots. I thought defensively he did a good job playing the 5 and manning our defense, & then the big couple 3s & the big FTs that he made down the stretch. I was happy with that."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) October 25, 2022
Jalen Green on Jabari Smith Jr: "He's super talented, has the gifts to be a two-way player, he's so long and can guard any position, and at the same time he can shoot the ball."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) October 25, 2022
