In their first appearances at Toyota Center, newly drafted rookie forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason were outstanding in Sunday night’s preseason opener as the Houston Rockets crushed the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 134-96 (box score).
Smith, drafted at No. 3 in the 2022 first round out of Auburn, started and scored 21 points in 24 minutes on 8-of-15 shooting (53.8%), including 5-of-8 (62.5%) from 3-point range. The 6-foot-11 forward also grabbed 8 rebounds in that time. Meanwhile, Eason — drafted at No. 17 out of LSU — added 21 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench, shooting 9-of-13 (69.2%).
