It hasn’t been the best start to the season for Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 pick in 2022 draft first round. But there were clear signs of progress by both Smith and fellow rookie Tari Eason in Wednesday’s 116-109 loss at Toronto (box score).
Fred VanVleet led the veteran Raptors with 32 points and 4 assists, including 7-of-16 on 3-pointers (43.8%). Jalen Green had another efficient night for Houston with 21 points and 6 assists on 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%), along with 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%).
But what kept the Rockets competitive to the final whistle was the production on both ends of the court by their duo of rookie forwards and second-year center Usman Garuba.
After scoring just 9 points in his last three games combined, Smith posted the second double-double of his young NBA career with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Eason, his rookie counterpart, added 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals off the bench. Garuba tallied 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocked shots in only 14 minutes as the backup behind Alperen Sengun (17 points, 8 rebounds).
Neither rookie was efficient. Smith and Eason shot 36.4% and 33.3%, respectively, but their energy kept the Rockets competitive against a veteran opponent led by OG Anunoby (18 points, 10 rebounds) and reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes (13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) in the frontcourt.
Other Houston players to score in double figures included:
- Eric Gordon: 10 points, 30% FG, 16.7% on 3-pointers, 29 minutes (Rockets minus-14 when on court)
- Kevin Porter Jr.: 12 points, 36.4% FG, 16.7% on 3-pointers, 11 assists, 5 turnovers, 40 minutes (minus-8)
- KJ Martin: 13 points, 83.3% FG, 66.7% on 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 23 minutes (team-high plus-18)
The Rockets fell to 2-10, while Toronto improved to 7-5.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews from Toronto. Houston will finally conclude its four-game road trip on Saturday in New Orleans, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Rockets have given away quite a few late-game possessions. Can't afford to do that here. Raptors in six games this season with a five-point margin in the final five minutes, have made 61.3 percent of their shots, and 55.6 percent of their 3s.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 10, 2022
#Rockets fall at the Raptors, 116-109. Green: 21p, 6r, 6a. Sengun: 17p, 8r. Eason: 14p, 6r, 5a, 5stl
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) November 10, 2022
Don't see the Rockets go with Smith, Sengun and Eason together very often. Eason brining his usual disruptive energy. He has four steals. But lowering his head and going to rim with every touch not working too well. He is 5 of 15.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 10, 2022
The Tari Eason Experience is remarkable, enthralling, exasperating, and exhilarating.
— Andrew Soukup (@asoukuptx) November 10, 2022
TARI EASON WREAKING HAVOC 🤯
JOIN: https://t.co/g2OAmTfNFv pic.twitter.com/mtuZA1NGLE
— RocketsWatch (@RocketsWatch) November 10, 2022
Silas does have great ATO plays
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 10, 2022
I don’t know how many caught what Jalen Green said going to the bench, but he said, “My fault.” That’s what you like to see in one of your leaders…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 10, 2022
That Jalen footwork >>>
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 10, 2022
Sengun 16 pick last year and Eason 17 pick this year elite scouting by Rafael Stone and the Rockets pic.twitter.com/UqOb54ghln
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 10, 2022
Not talk about enough but the Rockets free throw shooting is definitely better this year
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 10, 2022
Eason knows how to play the game. Can you believe "scouts" said they weren't sure about if his basketball knowledge pic.twitter.com/ozYdaIMN8x
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 10, 2022
"GIMME THAT SH*T!" -Alperen Sengun
JOIN: https://t.co/g2OAmTfNFv pic.twitter.com/jvhW2oenYI
— RocketsWatch (@RocketsWatch) November 10, 2022
KPJ has played very good basketball over the last two games #Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 10, 2022
Takeaways from this game:
🚀Rockets ball movement is getting better
🚀KJ is the Rockets best sf right now
🚀RUN THE OFFENSE THROUGH SENGUN
🚀Defense is still an issue but rim protection is getting
better
🚀Can't give up 22 off rebounds and expect to
win— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 10, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. might be quietly having his best game of the young season right after arguably his worst. Against a really solid team too. Love that bounce back.
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) November 10, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. with the STRONG finish!
JOIN: https://t.co/g2OAmTfNFv pic.twitter.com/X0uhwFsgG2
— RocketsWatch (@RocketsWatch) November 10, 2022
“I feel like it’s just confidence, just trusting my work, being aggressive, being real precise with what I’m doing, not hesitating, and just playing my game,” Jabari Smith said of what will get him going again. “I feel like it’s going to come. I’m not worried at all.” #Rockets https://t.co/BbeimawgZm
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) November 9, 2022
Alperen Sengun gets TRIPLE-TEAMED and it leads to a Jabari Smith Jr. three-pointer!
JOIN: https://t.co/g2OAmTfNFv pic.twitter.com/8AXqYcgJEO
— RocketsWatch (@RocketsWatch) November 10, 2022
One of the issues with Houston's halfcourt execution is after the initial action, there seems to be miscommunication on what the next read should be. Leads to a lot of clock running, stagnation and confusion.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 10, 2022
That was a fun #Rockets game! Thoughts:
Jabari is starting to look more comfortable out there but still has a ways to go.
The Raptors are LOOONG and get so many deflections on D. They’re legit fun to watch on that end.
KJ Martin is the “black box” in Seinfeld’s airplane joke.
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) November 10, 2022
#Rockets rookie Tari Eason tonight vs TOR
🏀14 PTS
🏀6 REB
🏀5 AST
🏀5 STL@TAR13ASON spoke with our @SportsVanessa after the game@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/tTMI5zhIsH— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 10, 2022
