Jabari Smith Jr. contributed just 22 points over the first three games of the Houston Rockets’ four-game winning streak.
But he’s confident the stuff that steered him to a 28-point outburst on Friday can keep the surging Rockets rolling, beginning with Sunday’s visit to the Chicago Bulls.
Heeding advice from coach Ime Udoka, Smith focused on other parts of his game to help take his mind off his shooting slump. Hence, the 11 rebounds and two steals that accompanied an 11-for-17 effort from the floor that included 5-for-8 from long range in the Rockets’ 125-104 home win against the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Tonight, I was just kind of letting it fly. Not thinking about it so much. Getting out of my own head,” Smith said. “That was really it. Nothing really different, you know what I’m saying? Just less thinking.”
A reactive mindset prevailed in the Rockets’ victory as they dished 31 assists on 46 made field goals.
Alperen Sengun had 10 assists to go with 16 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth career triple-double. Fred VanVleet had 18 points and 10 assists in a double-double.
“I thought our execution was good,” VanVleet said. “The ball was moving. Quick decisions. Nobody was really holding it.”
The Bulls and Rockets have split their past 10 meetings, but the Bulls have won three of the last four at the United Center.
Chicago hopes to conclude a busy week on a high note. The Bulls have sandwiched separate losses to the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers between a nail-biting road victory over the New York Knicks.
Despite a strong one-two punch from Coby White (29 points) and Nikola Vucevic (25), the Bulls failed to boost their momentum from the Knicks game in Friday’s 144-126 loss at Cleveland.
After an Ayo Dosunmu dunk brought Chicago within four points with 2:55 to go, the Cavaliers scored 21 of the game’s final 28 points.
Josh Giddey, the key returning piece in an offseason trade that sent defensive stalwart Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City, wasn’t on the floor in the stretch run after some lapses on defense.
“I want to be better on that side of the ball and thought I was making steps in the right direction,” Giddey said. “To have a night like tonight kind of kills your confidence. I have to (be) way better and will be going forward.”
With Giddey limited to 15 minutes, Patrick Williams (17 points) and Zach LaVine filled much of the void in the distribution department, contributing nine assists apiece.
Chicago had 32 assists on 45 made field goals and was 20-for-42 from deep. The Bulls have finished with at least 30 assists in seven games and swished 20 or more 3’s three times.
“I love the way we’re trying to play and the commitment we’re making physically to the game,” coach Billy Donovan said. “I love the way we’re sharing the ball and pushing it up the floor.”
