Led by a balanced effort with six players scoring in double figures, the Rockets opened their 2023-24 NBA preseason at Toyota Center with Tuesday’s 122-103 home win (box score) over the Indiana Pacers. Houston is now 1-0 in exhibition play.
Rookie forward Cam Whitmore followed up his summer-league MVP performance with more dynamic play off Houston’s bench, scoring 15 points in 17 minutes on 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%) and 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%). Houston went +21 as a team in that time, and that plus/minus clip was the best of any player for either team.
For head coach Ime Udoka, Whitmore’s strong showing offers even more to consider as he evaluates his rotation options.
Other players who scored in double-figures included:
- Alperen Sengun: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks in 24 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 6-of-10 on free throws (60.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block in 23 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 5-of-5 on free throws
- Jalen Green: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 24 minutes; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 0-of-4 on 3-pointers, 1-of-5 on free throws (20.0%)
- Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 4 assists in 25 minutes; 3-of-11 shoting (27.3%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Tari Eason: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals in 21 minutes; 5-of-6 shooting (83.3%)
Eason played additional minutes with the starters after an early ejection by Dillon Brooks, who was given a flagrant-two foul less than five minutes into the game for an altercation with Daniel Theis.
The Pacers (0-2) were led by reserve forward Aaron Nesmith, who had 18 points in 20 minutes on 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%).
Here’s a look at key highlights from Tuesday’s game, along with how media members and fans reacted in real-time. As for the Rockets, they will continue exhibition play on Thursday night in Birmingham, Alabama, with a matchup versus the New Orleans Pelicans.