Rockets insider: Team's growth, trust on display with one play in OT win over Thunder
After a rollicking overtime win over the Thunder pushed their win streak to 10 games, one play stood out and showed the Rockets' growth and trust in each other. Houston Rockets won an overtime win over Oklahoma City Thunder, with the Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. scoring a key shot in the final seconds of regulation. Despite missing all of his 3-pointers to the point, Smith's key play set up the winning play. The Rockets' growth and trust were evident in their victory over the Thunder.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Jonathan Feigen, Staff writer in
Despite missing all of his 3-pointers to that point, the Rockets turned to Jabari Smith Jr. to hit a key shot in the final seconds of regulation en route to an overtime win over the Thunder on Wednesday. Oklahoma City Thunder center Mike Muscala, back, tries to steal the ball from Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) shoots over Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) grabs a rebound next to Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) looks to pass the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder guards Cason Wallace, left, and Aaron Wiggins during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, center right, works against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort as Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, right, drives against Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins during overtime of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) takes a reverse shot against Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) as guard Fred VanVleet, right, watches during overtime of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) prepares to shoot from between Oklahoma City Thunder forwards Kenrich Williams (34) and Jalen Williams (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots the game-tying basket over Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson, right, as guard Jalen Green (4) and forward Dillon Brooks (9) and Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) watch near the end of the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey, bottom, and Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) try to grab the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) spins away from Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., right, is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Gordon Hayward during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson, right, drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace, right, picks up the ball as Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green dives for it during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, tries to steal the ball from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka talks to guard Jalen Green during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) catches a piece of confetti before the team's NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
“He had it going all night,” Brooks said. “With three guys on him, he finds a way to get the ball to Jabari, get the ball to me at crucial times. That’s a sign of growth, a sign of trust. He’s willing to be a complete player which is hard to find in this NBA, especially with a young guy like that with everything going for him.”
“I was getting off it, trying to attack, seeing who was open in front of me,” Green said. “I knew I had (the pass to Smith) as soon as I got two feet in the paint. I knew their gameplan was to collapse in the paint, leave everybody open. Jabari’s known for that. He was wide open. Jabari did what he does.”
Smith had not done that until he had to. The Rockets trailed by one, having rushed back into the game after losing a 14-point first half lead and trailing by eight in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City was playing without star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but after a slow start, Jalen Williams came on to score 23 points and 10 assists. Giddey had 31 points.
“I’m seeing him going aggressive to the paint, like he was all night. They collapsed, as they should, and left me open in the corner, and I knocked it down,” Smith said. “He made the right read. It just shows maturity. It just shows growth. Jalen had that confidence in me. I had that confidence in myself.
“We knew we didn’t play our best game, but we stuck with it. Early in the season, with that adversity, I don’t know we would have responded like that. For us to stay with it and come out with the win, felt great. That’s why the energy was so high after the game.”