The Rockets wrapped up a seven-game homestand, the longest of the season, with Friday’s 112-106 loss (box score) to the in-state rival Mavericks. Houston (9-23) lost its fifth straight game while Dallas (17-16) broke above .500 thanks to perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic.
Jabari Smith Jr. scored a career-high 24 points for the Rockets on 10-of-17 shooting (58.8%) and 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%). He grabbed 10 rebounds and dished 3 assists. But the effort wasn’t enough thanks to an other-worldly night by Doncic. He led the visiting Mavs with 50 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds on 17-of-30 shooting (56.7%) and 6-of-12 on 3-pointers (50.0%).
Jalen Green had 23 points and 8 rebounds but struggled with his shooting, making just 6-of-17 shots (35.3%) and 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. was similarly inefficient with 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%) and 1-of-7 from 3-point range (14.3%).
Alperen Sengun had 19 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists on 6-of-9 shooting (66.7%), but two of his misses came on close-range shots late in the game, with Houston trailing by a small margin.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interview reaction from Toyota Center. With the homestand finally complete, Houston hits the road for a three-game road trip, starting with Monday’s game at Chicago. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Stephen Silas: “Too much Luka.”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) December 24, 2022
The #Rockets had two centers playing fantastic games tonight in Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba, but still forced Bruno Fernando in the fourth.
Dallas outscored Houston 12-6 during those minutes.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 24, 2022
Luka Doncic is outrageous. Nothing more to be said than that.
They have a guy who is levels above anyone the Rockets have.
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) December 24, 2022
So impressed by Jabari Smith tonight.
Most decisive he’s looked as a professional, making quick reads and flashing his mid-range game.
24 PTS, 9 REB for Smith.
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) December 24, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. new career-high 24 points
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 24, 2022
Two missed 3-footers by Sengun with the game on the line. Come on.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 24, 2022
Not sure what Sengun was doing on that defensive possession that led to a Mavs 3
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 24, 2022
No coincidence that TyTy played quite a bit tonight. https://t.co/LvC3Ydu1dX
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) December 24, 2022
Alperen Sengun dominated Christian Wood. Jabari Smith scored a career high and was clutch late. Jalen Green got to the line 12 times and scored 23 on 17 shots. This is about as excellent of a tank loss as #Rockets fans can hope for. Good stuff.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) December 24, 2022
Jabari Smith tonight
24 PTS (Career high)
9 REB
3 AST
10/17 FGNew career high for Jabari. pic.twitter.com/h2nCuT2e2G
— RocketsMuse (@RocketsMuse) December 24, 2022
The starters were solid tonight, it was just those bench minutes that absolutely killed them and had them fighting an uphill battle, Luka wouldn't let them off the hook
— Abel (@AbelGe87) December 24, 2022
All five Rockets starters had a positive +/- in the game. Bench killed them, and that's fine.
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) December 24, 2022
#Rockets lose to DAL and fall to 9-23. But the good news is Jabari Smith had possibly his best game of the season with 24pts, 10rbs and 3 assists! Love to see that development.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) December 24, 2022
When the #Rockets get Wemby they need to send Luka a fruit basket.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 24, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr: "I want to guard the best player every night, no matter if it's the smallest player or the biggest player. That's just how I am, my competitive nature, me knowing how I can play defense and taking some pressure off my teammates."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 24, 2022
I asked Coach Silas about Jalen taking on more ball handling duties and if KPJ and Jalen are becoming more interchangeable pic.twitter.com/qcpZd0BPXP
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 24, 2022
After the game, I asked Luka Doncic about the #Rockets growth over the past three years. He had high praise for Jalen Green.
“I think Jalen is going to be a superstar in this league…They should build around him.” pic.twitter.com/nYDmwRstLV
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) December 24, 2022
More Silas: "We made every shot hard, and that's the greatness of a great player, but I was proud of our guys and the way that they fought and tried and made every shot difficult and trapped and rotated out. Just, that's what Luka does." https://t.co/KREbi4GVlO
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 24, 2022
Also asked Jabari Smith about his career night with 24 points and how the game has slowed down for him https://t.co/NXjv58OSNY pic.twitter.com/MEfQsrLpVq
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 24, 2022
#Rockets fall to the Mavs 112-106
Luka Doncic 50 PTS – 10 AST – 8 REB
Usman Garuba & Stephen Silas had this reaction after the game pic.twitter.com/vK0Z6RDQHd
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) December 24, 2022
After the game, I asked Luka Doncic about the #Rockets growth over the past three years. He had high praise for Jalen Green.
“I think Jalen is going to be a superstar in this league…They should build around him.” pic.twitter.com/nYDmwRstLV
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) December 24, 2022
