Rockets top Utah 114-108 for First Win of the 2022-23 Season

POSTED: October 25, 2022 -- 8:45 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets earned win number one of the 2022-23 NBA season Monday night with a 114-108 victory over the Utah Jazz in front of an announced crowd of 16,260 inside Toyota Center.

"We fought through the adversity. We fought back," Stephen Silas, Rockets Head Coach said during his postgame press conference. "They tied the game a couple times. We didn't break and that's important."

Houston's dynamic trio of Kevin Porter Jr (26 points); Jalen Green (25 points); and rookie Jabari Smith Jr (21 points) combined for 72 points in the win.

Smith finished the game with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks while hitting 3 three-pointers. He's the youngest player in league history to produce that stat line.

The first half was filled with turnovers. The two teams combined for 23 turnovers in the opening 24 minutes. Houston scored 12 points off Utah's 12 turnovers; however, Utah scored only six points off Houston's 11 turnovers.

Houston (1-3) took care of the ball in the second half with just 4 turnovers in the second 24 minutes. The Jazz added 8 more turnovers in the second half. The Rockets finished the game with 19 points off Utah's 20 miscues.

"Offensively, it's hard to win in the NBA with 20 turnovers," Will Hardy, Utah Jazz Head Coach said after the game. "And, there were times where we played a little bit fast."

The Rockets led 51-45 at halftime and 77-73 after three quarters.

Utah (3-1) cut Houston's lead to 1 point with 11:25 on the clock in the fourth quarter. Jabari Smith sank a three-pointer to start a 7-0 Rockets' run to stretch Houston's lead to 86-78 with 9:56 on the clock.

Houston led 106-97 with 4:23 remaining in the game; but, Utah went on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 108 with 1:37 left in regulation.

Fourteen seconds later, Rockets veteran guard Eric Gordon put the Rockets on top 110-108 with a strong driving layup. Gordon scored 9 of his 13 points in the final period.

Kevin Porter Jr forced a steal on Utah's possession. Then, KPJ missed a 27-foot step back shot. Utah's Jordan Clarkson rebounded the missed shot. Clarkson missed a driving layup and Kelly Olynyk missed the tip attempt.

Utah's Lauri Markkanen grabbed the offensive rebound. Clarkson got the ball; drove to the hoop; but, lost the ball off his foot out of bounds.

The initial call was Utah's ball; but, Rockets' Head Coach Stephen Silas challenged the call and the call was overturned after review.

After timeout was called, Utah fouled Jabari Smith with 24.5 seconds remaining. Smith sank both foul shots for a 112-108 lead. Clarkson missed an open three-point attempt and KPJ pulled down the rebound.

Houston called its final timeout; and, after the timeout, Smith caught the inbounds pass and was fouled again. Smith made both free throws to cap off the scoring and give the Rockets the six point victory.

"Coach trusted me to get the ball and make the free throws," Smith Jr said after the game. "So, I had to believe in myself and just knock them down."

KPJ added, "He's got one of the best shots on this team and that includes at the free throw line. So, we put all our trust in Jabari to make those for us."

NOTES:

The Rockets won despite being outshot 47.3% to 42.2% from the floor and shooting 31.4% from 3-point range. Entering tonight, Houston had lost its last 60 games when being outshot from the floor while also shooting 33.3% or worse from behind-the-arc (last win vs. Boston on 2/11/20). The Rockets only won four games last season when being outshot.

The Rockets have recorded 60 offensive rebounds this season, marking their highest total through the first four games of a season since having 67 in 2012-13 (prior to that, 62 in 1988-89).

NEXT:

The Rockets' next game is Wednesday night, October 26, in Utah, against the Jazz. Tip is set for 8 p.m. Central Time.

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