Jabari Smith Jr. Leads Rockets To Summer League Victory Over Trail Blazers
The Houston Rockets opened their 2023 Las Vegas Summer League tournament in a 100-99 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night inside the Thomas & Mack Center.
Jabari Smith Jr. led the way with 33 points on 8-of-18 shooting, seven rebounds and a block. With the Rockets down 99-97 with 0.6 left in regulation, Smith drilled a game-winning 3-point basket to give the Rockets their first win of the tournament.
Smith had a terrible start by scoring four points during the first half but began to find his rhythm in the third quarter. He ignited for 18 points in the period, which helped the Rockets embark on their comeback attempt following a subpar first half.
Scoot Henderson led the Trail Blazers to a 53-47 halftime lead. He began the game by scoring 13 of his 15 points during the first two quarters. But Henderson's night came to an early end due to a right shoulder injury. He also added six assists and five rebounds during his summer league debut.
In the absence of Henderson, the Rockets held an 86-84 lead over the Trail Blazers with 4:19 left in the fourth quarter.
Shaedon Sharpe began to take over for Portland following a dunk over the top of Rockets' big man Jay Huff. Sharpe scored eight of Portland's final 15 points to give the Trail Blazers a 99-97 lead. He finished with 21 points and eight rebounds.
Tari Eason scored the first basket of the night with a two-point field goal assisted by rookie point guard Amen Thompson. Eason's early bucket led to the sophomore prospect scoring 20 points and nine rebounds in the win.
Thompson had an impressive summer league debut against the Trail Blazers. He scored nine of his 16 points during the first quarter. But Houston's 2023 lottery pick left the game with a lower leg injury late in the fourth quarter.
The Rockets will continue their summer league tournament on Sunday in a match against the Detroit Pistons. Tip-off is slated for 5 pm CT inside the Thomas & Mack Center.
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