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Will Guillory: Final: Rockets 104, Hawks 86 Strong bounce-back for Houston after last night's collapse vs SA. Rockets outscored the Hawks 61-44 in the 2nd half. Hawks finish shooting 36.6 percent from the floor. Kevin Durant had 31 points. Jabari Smith had 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 5 blocks. Josh Okogie had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Rockets improve to 29-17.
Appearing on the Buckets Don't Stop podcast, the veteran guard claimed he sees himself as a perfect fit and a crucial piece for the Houston Rockets. "I'd love to go to Rockets," Dinwiddie said. "I'd love to go to Rockets. One of my best NBA friends, Dorian Finney-Smith, is on the Rockets. And I think, the [Fred] VanVleet injury really hurt them. I think they have all the makings of having that championship-type team. "They have young talent in [Jabari] Smith Jr. and [Amen] Thompson. They got a great post up threat and creator in [Alperen] Sengun. You got an all-time, all-world scorer in [Kevin Durant]. And I think [I'm] a guard that can go in there, catch and shoot off of Sengun and KD, set the table in terms of just taking some of the thought process of, setting the table in terms of KD and Sengun just letting them score.
These latest moves have been additive, with the Rockets having built this post-James Harden era core by way of the draft (Alperen Şengün at No. 16 in 2021, Jabari Smith Jr. third in 2022, Tari Eason 17th in 2022, Amen Thompson fourth in 2023, Reed Sheppard third in 2024). “They have drafted well, built a deep team in a tough Western Conference while managing tax aprons,” said one executive who voted the Rockets second. “(They) hired a good coach and built an overall team identity, then added KD for cheap. “From where they were only a few years ago, they have done a good job turning it around.” Said another, who also voted the Rockets second: “High-end talent, a willingness to be bold, (and) good asset management.” — Sam Amick
Vanessa Richardson: Steven Adams is available for the Rockets today vs Jazz. Rockets starters today: Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
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Will Guillory: Final: Rockets 122, Bucks 115. Kevin Durant 31 pts, 7 assts; Alperen Sengun 23 pts, 11 rebs, 7 assts, Jabari Smith 16 pts, 9 rebs. Rockets come back from a double-digit second-half deficit to improve to 6-3 to start the season. Houston out the offense in KD's hands and he came up w/ one of his best performances in a Rockets uniform. Sengun was also huge in the 4th quarter. Rockets also won the rebound battle, 50-27.
Vanessa Richardson: Jabari Smith Jr is out tonight, per Ime Udoka. He tweaked his ankle. Udoka doubts his absence will extend past tonight. Tari Eason will start.
Danielle Lerner: Rockets forward Tari Eason on Jabari Smith Jr.: "I don't know if people have labeled him fully a dog, but he's a dog. You know, he's a pit bull off the leash, just ate some chocolate, you know what I'm saying?"
Danielle Lerner: Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., listed as questionable to play tonight vs Mavs with an ankle sprain, is on the court shooting free throws after shootaround. We will find out his status for the game from Ime Udoka pregame tonight.
The Rockets have downgraded Jabari Smith (right ankle sprain) to questionable for Monday's game against Dallas.
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The NBA reporters inside Paycom Center asked the NBA for, and were granted, the ability to ask Zarba for an explanation. A brief postgame interview with a game official is called a pool report. When asked why a technical was not called, Zarba answered: “None of the three game officials saw Kevin signal that timeout. That’s why it wasn’t granted before the expiration of time.” In the end, the non-call didn’t hurt Oklahoma City too much. The Thunder won 125-124 in double overtime when Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. missed a highly contested jumper from the left corner that he launched just before time expired.
Danielle Lerner: Rockets coach Ime Udoka said the opening night starting lineup vs OKC will be the jumbo lineup of Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams.
Can Tari Eason crack $20 million in average annual value in Houston? That's a popular question in circulation regarding the Rockets' defensive-minded swingman. Word is that Houston hopes to re-sign Eason alongside Amen Thompson at a number significantly lower than Jabari Smith Jr.'s five-year, $122 million contract inked early in the summer.
