It was very much by design.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just came out with a desperate mindset, crashing,\u201d said Jabari Smith Jr., who finished with 21 points (43.8% FG), 4 assists, and a season-high 16 rebounds in Memphis.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe energy needs to be there all the time,\u201d Smith added. \u201cI was making an emphasis on boxing out. My boxing out been pretty bad lately. My rebounding numbers were pretty low, so I\u2019m just trying to make an emphasis on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith, 22, has averaged 14.0 rebounds over his last two games. Over his previous 12 outings, the fourth-year forward grabbed just 5.5 boards per game<\/a>.<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n For the Rockets as a team, who entered Friday after two frustrating losses in Chicago and Minnesota, it was a sorely needed win as they try to stabilize themselves. Houston (44-29) remains at No. 6 in the Western Conference standings<\/a>, which would put the Rockets in line for a matchup against the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2026 playoffs.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought the effort was there from the start,\u201d said head coach Ime Udoka. \u201cIt felt more energized out there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe let two games go, lately,\u201d Smith added. \u201cI just wanted to play hard. … We were competing tonight. The mindset was in the right place. Everybody was connected, had good communication. And we came out with the dub.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond Smith, other individual standouts included:<\/p>\n Kevin Durant: 25 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds; 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%), 6-of-7 on free throws (85.7%)Amen Thompson: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals; 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%)Alperen Sengun: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%)Reed Sheppard: 15 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals; 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)Tari Eason: 16 points, 7 rebounds; 6-of-14 shooting (42.9%), +11 in 29 minutesOlivier-Maxence Prosper (Grizzlies): 31 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals; 12-of-15 shooting (80.0%), 4-of-5 on 3-pointers (80.0%)<\/p>\n Off Houston\u2019s bench, Jae\u2019Sean Tate received minutes that usually go to Dorian Finney-Smith, who was seemingly pulled from the rotation. Udoka said postgame that he plans to evaluate various options and combinations before the playoffs, adding that \u201cJosh (Okogie) and Dorian will get another chance.\u201d<\/p>\n But perhaps more important than any individual was the spirit of the collective group. To do that, both Durant and Smith pointed to an effective shootaround and film session in the aftermath of Wednesday\u2019s brutal loss to the Timberwolves<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe try to say that we\u2019re this tough team, that we\u2019re this gritty team,\u201d Smith said. \u201cBut we haven’t been that lately.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just focused on putting together full games. Toughness comes with not just playing hard and mixing it up on the court, but mentally, too. Moving on to the next play. Encouraging your teammates, taking criticism. We\u2019re all trying to get better at that, and we are getting better at that.\u201d<\/p>\n The next opportunity to put that to the test comes Sunday night in New Orleans, where the Rockets will wrap up a four-game road trip.<\/p>\n Tipoff versus the Pelicans (25-50) is at 6:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised and streamed regionally on Space City Home Network<\/a> and nationally via NBA League Pass<\/a>. It could be a more challenging matchup than the records indicate, since New Orleans has a winning record (10-9<\/a>) since the All-Star break in mid-February.<\/p>\n Houston is just 19-19 on the road this season.<\/p>\n More: In historic collapse at Minnesota, Rockets lament \u2018worst\u2019 loss yet<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/jAB88CoKCEQ\/maxresdefault.jpg\")
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