It’s been a rough start to the 2022-23 NBA season for the young Houston Rockets, who played 11 of their first 15 games on the road. But after emerging victorious on Wednesday in Dallas, they’ll have an opportunity to put together a winning streak for the first time when Indiana visits Toyota Center on Friday night.
It’s also the start of a four-game homestand for the Rockets, who are finally seeing the schedule start to even out.
Like the Rockets, Indiana was supposed to be a rebuilding team, as well. But the Pacers, who enter with six wins in their last eight games, have overachieved all expectations — thanks in part to a great start by rookie guard and sixth man Bennedict Mathurin. So far, the No. 6 overall draft pick of the 2022 first round is averaging 19.9 points (46.2% FG, 45.5% on 3-pointers) and 3.8 rebounds in 27.6 minutes.
Houston hasn’t gotten that type of production from rookie forward Jabari Smith, drafted at No. 3 overall. Through 15 games, he’s shooting just 31.5% from the field and 30.4% on 3-pointers. But he is becoming a growing force with his defense and rebounding, as evidenced by several key plays late in Wednesday’s win at Dallas and an average of 10.0 rebounds per game over his last four outings.
In a matchup of high picks from the 2022 draft lottery, might this be the setting for Smith’s long-awaited shooting breakout?