Jabari Smith Jr. gave the Rockets exactly what they needed Monday night, and then some.
With Houston short on dependable centers, Smith spent long stretches matching up with true bigs like Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta, and he handled the job. The Rockets leaned on him heavily in the middle against Boston, and he answered with a strong all-around effort in a convincing win.
The situation could have gotten messy fast for Houston. Steven Adams and Clint Capela were both out injured, leaving Alperen Sengun without the usual backup support.
Oscar Tshiebwe was the only true reserve center available, and his path has been a winding one over the last four years across different G-League teams and two-way deals. Instead of scrambling, the Rockets turned to Smith, who filled in at center for major stretches.
At 6-foot-11, Smith has the size to survive there, even if he doesn’t have the bulk of a traditional five. Still, he’s made noticeable strides in areas that don’t always grab headlines, and battling in the paint is one of them.
Against Boston, he grabbed 10 rebounds and did a solid job keeping Robinson and Queta off the glass. That mattered, because those two are known for their activity on the offensive boards.
Houston held its own on the glass overall, losing the rebounding battle just 38-36 despite being down two centers. Smith was a big part of that. Boston’s centers have a track record of punishing teams when the starting big goes to the bench, but that edge never really materialized Monday.
Smith’s growth has been hard to miss. He’s been a major shooting threat this season, averaging 18 points per game while hitting 48% of his threes on 6.5 attempts per game. If he can keep giving the Rockets quality minutes as a small-ball center, his value climbs even higher.
The lineup Houston could use with Smith in the middle is a dangerous one. It gives the Rockets four respected shooters around Amen Thompson, opening space for his slashing and driving game. Defensively, it creates a group that can swarm on the perimeter and make life miserable, as long as the opponent doesn’t start collecting offensive rebounds.
That’s where Smith’s versatility could become especially important when the playoffs arrive. With his improved shooting and his ability to hold up at center, he gives Houston a matchup wrinkle that could be tough for opposing big men to solve.
In Other News...
Alperen Sengun Is Giving Rockets Fans A New Offensive Debate
The Rockets offense has taken a real step forward this season, and a big part of that leap has come from an unusual source. Alperen Sengun has evolved into one of the teams central playmakers from the middle of the floor, giving Houston a different kind of engine than the one it expected when it built around Fred VanVleet as the lead guard. The result has been one of the leagues most efficient attacks, with Senguns passing opening up the floor and VanVleet still handling the steady, low-mistake work that keeps everything moving.
What makes the conversation interesting now is how the roles are starting to blur. Sengun has piled up big assist nights, including a 10-assist game against the Celtics, and he has been turning those flashes into something more consistent. VanVleet remains important because of the way he manages possessions and limits turnovers, but Houstons offense is increasingly asking a different question: when the ball is in the frontcourt, who is really setting the table? [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Durants Quiet Night Leaves Rockets With A New Balancing Act
Kevin Durants first game in a Rockets uniform against the Celtics turned into a low-volume night by his standards, even in a comfortable 109-93 win. The veteran forward played in his 1,209th NBA game and finished with 12 points on 5 of 6 shooting, a line that reflected efficiency more than the kind of heavy usage Houston has usually associated with him.
Ime Udoka said he spoke with Durant about finding the right balance between staying involved in the offense and being more aggressive in looking for his own shot. It is the sort of adjustment the Rockets will keep monitoring as they try to blend Durants scoring instincts with a team structure that has to keep everyone engaged. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Durant Pushes Back As Rockets Winning Formula Takes Shape
Kevin Durant didnt sound interested in turning his shot total into a storyline after Houstons 109-93 win over Boston, even as the Rockets kept rolling and moved into first place in the Western Conference at 7-1. His response to a question about limited attempts fit the way this team has been playing lately, with the offense spreading the load and the focus staying on the group rather than any one scorer.
For Houston, that kind of buy-in is part of what has made the early-season formula look so sturdy. Durants willingness to accept a smaller individual role has helped the Rockets keep the ball moving and keep defenses guessing, and it has been one of the quieter reasons this start has felt so different. The bigger question now is how long this balance can hold as the schedule gets tougher and opponents keep adjusting. [Read more 🡒]