The Rockets are expected to win a second win away from the Jazz, and the two-gun burst at the backcourt is key.
Rockets starting center Jabari Smith Jr. performed well in front of home fans, scoring 21 points, nine rebounds, three blocks at home against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday while helping the Houston Rockets to their first win of the 2022-23 regular season.
Tomorrow, Smith will face the Jazz again for the Rockets, which will give him the chance to replicate the previous results once. The only difference is that this time it is an away game that requires challenging the Jazz at high altitudes in Salt Lake City.
Jazz forward Laurie Markkanen is arguably the Utah Jazz's most accomplished player, but he didn't play well against the Rockets' five-small team last game, and Smith, Martin Jr. and Eric Gordon were too fast, allowing Markkanen to shoot 7-of-19 from the field for 36.8 percent from the field and 0-for-6 from three-point range. It can be seen that the Rockets' defense is still very good.
Potential starting line-up
Houston Rockets (1-3)
Point guard: Kevin Porter Jr
Quarterback: Jaylen Green
Small forward: Eric Gordon
Power forward: Kenyon Martin Jr
Center: Jabari Smith Jr
Utah Jazz (3-1)
Point guard: Mike Conley
Quarterback: Jordan Clarkson
Small forward: Laurie Makkkanen
Power forward: Kelly Olynyk
Center: Jared Vanderbilt
Injury report
Rockets:
1, Bruno Fernando (left knee soreness)
2, Taytay Washington (sprained left knee)
3, Alperon Shenjing (disease)
The good news is that, according to Athletics reporter Kelly Iko, Jeshaun Tate is about to make a comeback and is expected to play in his next game, which will also be his regular season debut in 2022-23.
According to the Rockets, veteran Jeshaun Tate is likely to make his regular-season debut in Utah on Thursday, but center Alperon Shenkyung will miss his second straight game due to illness. Tate's return provides the Rockets' frontcourt with a much-needed defense, as well as a useful ball handler and assister who can lead the bench to the game.
However, Shin Kyung will not travel to Utah with the team, and he will miss his second consecutive game. According to Jonathan Fagan of the Houston Chronicle, Shin plans to rejoin the team in the upcoming four road games and return to the court at a later date, including games against the Jazz, Trail Blazers, Suns and Clippers.
In addition to Shen Kyung, there is no center Bruno Fernando and rookie guard Ty Washington, both dealing with a sprained left knee. The timeline for their comeback is unclear. Hopefully, the Rockets will play super tomorrow and continue to beat the Jazz for a two-game winning streak.
