52 articles
HOU • • #
6 days ago
Smith finished Saturday’s defeat with playoff career-highs in points and rebounds, recording his first postseason double-double. He shot 3-of-9 from beyond the arc in Game 1, with the percentage being a few points lower than his mark during the regular season (36.3 percent). Smith is one of many Rockets who benefit from Kevin Durant’s presence on the floor; the veteran scorer did not play on Saturday due to a right knee contusion. If Durant can return for Tuesday’s Game 2, it would be unsurprising if Smith offered a more efficient stat line.
HOU • • #
15 days ago
Smith couldn’t find his rhythm from beyond the arc but still managed to hover around the 20-point mark on Thursday. His scoring came from the charity stripe and mostly inside the paint. The fourth-year forward has played his role well this year and continues to put up some of his best numbers alongside Kevin Durant as a full-time starter. With two games left on the schedule, the Rockets have a chance to extend their eight-game winning streak while trying to land homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
HOU • • #
17 days ago
For the second consecutive game, Smith scored at least 20 points and made five three-pointers. His percentage wasn’t good on Tuesday, with a 1-of-5 night inside the arc being more problematic than Smith shooting 5-of-13 from three. Add in the rebounds, and this was a solid showing from Smith, even with the low field-goal percentage. The Rockets have three games left in their regular-season schedule, starting with the 76ers on Thursday.
HOU • • #
19 days ago
Smith shot 5-of-7 from beyond the arc on Sunday, making it seven straight games in which he’s made at least two three-pointers. The five triples were the most in a game for him since February 23 against the Jazz. Also, the 23 points were the most that Smith has scored in a game since March 20, when he hit that number in a win over the Hawks. Smith did not record any defensive stats, but the nine rebounds helped fantasy managers.
HOU • • #
26 days ago
Smith was unable to extend his run of double-doubles to three games, but he has scored 20 points or more in three of his last six. The Rockets forward shot 4-of-9 from beyond the arc, and the two blocks moved his total to four over the last three games. Since the All-Star break, Smith has provided sixth-round value in eight-cat formats. While there have been occasional hiccups, his production has been more consistent than it was earlier in the season.
HOU • • #
28 days ago
Though the turnovers put a damper on his outing, he was able to set a new season high for rebounds in the win. This was his second straight double-double, with the most recent one before that coming before the All-Star break. Smith has struggled with his shot lately, and this game wasn’t an exception. Still, he was able to make up for it on the glass, though he’s going to have to do a lot more to make an impact for fantasy managers.
HOU • • #
about 1 month ago
Smith has scored at least 18 points in each of his last three games, providing consistent offensive value for the Rockets. He finished Friday’s win one rebound shy of a double-double and has provided fifth-round value in eight-cat formats since the All-Star break. Smith will look to end Week 21 on a high note when the Rockets host the Heat on Saturday.
HOU • • #
about 1 month ago
Smith Jr. led the Rockets in scoring on Monday, despite some struggles from behind the three-point line. He scored the ball fairly consistently throughout the game, but never had any major scoring runs. The fourth-year forward also made an impact on the glass and finished as the only starter not to commit multiple turnovers. Smith wasn’t otherworldly on Monday but did well in his minutes.
HOU • • #
about 1 month ago
Smith had 23 points in the win over the Raptors after scoring 17 in the loss to the Spurs on Sunday, which was his first game back after missing three of four games with an ankle injury. Reed Sheppard had just seven points in 24 minutes off the bench with Smith back in the lineup.
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Smith was back in the Rockets’ lineup after a one-game absence and had a solid night scoring-wise. The 17 points were the most for him in four appearances, having tallied 31 in a February 23 win over the Jazz. Smith entered Sunday having missed three of Houston’s previous four games with an ankle injury, and his return pushed Reed Sheppard to the bench. Sheppard (17/3/3/1/1 with three three-pointers) still played 35 minutes against the Spurs, and he should remain rostered in 12-team leagues.
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Smith is back in the Rockets’ starting lineup, pushing Reed Sheppard to the bench. Sheppard will still play heavy minutes and should be rostered in 12-team leagues.
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Smith is back after sitting out Friday’s win over the Trail Blazers, which was Houston’s second game in as many nights. His return means that Reed Sheppard will return to the bench, where he will still play heavy minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Smith is set to miss only his fourth game of the season on Friday against the Trail Blazers. The 22-year-old forward is dealing with an ankle injury. With Smith out, Tari Eason and Josh Okogie should see additional minutes.
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Smith Jr. logged 42 minutes in Thursday’s OT loss to the Warriors, and the Rockets may give him the night off for the second leg of a back-to-back set as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. If JSJ is unable to go, Tari Eason and Josh Okogie could see additional run.
Source: NBA Injury Report
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Following a two-game absence, Smith will return to take on Golden State, which is what Rockets coach Ime Udoka had previously indicated. Reed Sheppard played well as a starter, but he will likely return to the bench with Smith returning.
Source: Will Kunkel
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Smith, who sprained his right ankle during Thursday’s win over the Magic, has missed the last two games, including Monday’s matchup with the Wizards. Udoka also said he’ll likely return to his usual starting lineup when Smith returns, which means Reed Sheppard is the odd man out. While the second-year guard will still play plenty, his fantasy value takes a hit in the reserve role.
Source: ClutchFans
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Reed Sheppard is set to start for the next two games in Smith’s absence and is worth rostering in most formats. With Smith ruled out for the next two games, the earliest he could return would be Thursday against the Warriors.
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Smith rolled his right ankle late in Thursday’s win over the Magic and limped back to the locker room immediately. His absence on Saturday opens up a spot in the starting lineup, with Reed Sheppard and Josh Okogie being potential replacements. Sheppard, who’s worth rostering in fantasy leagues in his current reserve role, offers a higher ceiling.
Source: NBA Injury Report
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Smith led the Rockets in scoring with 31 points in the victory over the Jazz on Monday. The Rockets turned the ball over 26 times combined, but still cruised to a 20-point victory. The 22-year-old power forward has provided top-40 per game value over the last two weeks, according to Basketball Monster. The Rockets have three more games in Week 18, the next of which comes on Wednesday against the Kings.
HOU • • #
2 months ago
Smith shot 4-of-8 from three against the Knicks, with the four triples being the most in a game for him since hitting seven in a January 18 win over the Pelicans. The Rockets forward filled his stat line, and he’s been a top-50 player in eight- and nine-cat formats over the past three weeks, according to Basketball Monster. The Rockets open a four-game Week 18 on Monday against the Jazz.
HOU • • #
2 months ago
This was the third straight game that Smith was able to record a double-double, which is his second-longest streak of the season. He had four straight in mid-December and will look to match that mark in Houston’s first game after the All-Star break. Smith has been excellent over the last two weeks and has contribute plenty of defensive stats, even though he didn’t in this game. He had at least one block in seven straight games before failing to swat a shot in this one.
HOU • • #
2 months ago
For the first time since mid-December, when he ripped off four straight, Smith has recorded a double-double in consecutive games. He didn’t have the best night shooting the basketball, but the Rockets forward was active on the glass and recorded a complete stat line. Rostered in 49 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Smith has been close to a top-25 player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks. For managers who need frontcourt production, he’s worth adding ahead of Wednesday’s rematch with the Clippers.
HOU • • #
3 months ago
Smith had 17 points and seven rebounds in Thursday’s loss to the Hornets. The 22-year-old forward was a little better in both categories Saturday with 22 points and 10 boards as the Rockets beat the Thunder. Smith has provided second-round per game value over the last two weeks, according to Basketball Monster. The Rockets have four games upcoming in Week 17, starting with a home date with the Clippers on Tuesday.
HOU • • #
3 months ago
Smith continues to provide consistent production, sitting within the top-50 in nine-cat formats over the past three weeks, according to Basketball Monster. As a result, his season-long value has improved, with Smith being a 10th-round player. He’s rostered in 49 percent of Yahoo! leagues, so it might be time for some managers in 10-team formats to consider adding Smith if he’s sitting on the waiver wire. The Rockets end Week 16 with a game against the Thunder on Saturday.
HOU • • #
3 months ago
Smith has hit double figures in four straight and eight of his last ten games, providing some semblance of consistency. Over the past two weeks, he has been a top-50 player in eight-cat formats according to Basketball Monster. Smith’s fantasy upside may be limited due to him sharing a lineup with Kevin Durant, Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson. Still, he’s capable of providing good enough value to merit being rostered in 12-team leagues.
HOU • • #
3 months ago
Having made multiple three-pointers in four straight games, Smith’s 19 points were the most for him since dropping 32 in a January 18 win over the Pelicans. Since that performance, the 6-foot-10 forward has been a fifth-round player in eight-cat formats. In nine-cat formats, Smith has been a top-100 player this season, exceeding his Yahoo! ADP (115). The Rockets play four games in Week 16, starting with the Pacers on Monday.
HOU • • #
3 months ago
Smith entered the league as a high-caliber defensive prospect, but that hasn’t led to many defensive stats during his career. Those numbers are slightly up this year, but he still hasn’t been effective. However, in this game, he was able to make a massive impact on that end. He set a new career high for blocks and matched his season high for steals. That hasn’t been the norm for him, and managers shouldn’t expect that to continue moving forward. Still, it was an excellent night for him.
HOU • • #
3 months ago
Smith has had some subpar performances recently, but he was able to turn in a strong line on Friday. This was only his second double-double of the month, and despite being a high-level defender, Smith hasn’t been able to consistently contribute defensive stats. That wasn’t the case in this game. He didn’t do much scoring, but he was efficient. He’ll look to keep it going against the Grizzlies on Monday.
HOU • • #
3 months ago
On a night when teammate Kevin Durant made some personal history, Smith had one of the best games of his NBA career. The Rockets’ forward finished with a season-high point total, and the seven three-pointers were a career-high. And to say Smith needed a night like Sunday would be an understatement. Even with this performance, he’s shot 36.1 percent from the field over the past two weeks. Smith will look to carry the momentum into a three-game Week 14 that begins on Tuesday against the Spurs.
HOU • • #
3 months ago
While double-doubles have been the norm for frontcourt partner Alperen Şengün, that hasn’t been the case for Smith. On Thursday, he recorded his eighth of the season and second since going on a run of four consecutive games with a double-double in mid-December. Rostered in 47 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Smith has been a 12th-round player in eight-cat formats over the past month.