Players and supporters of the Houston Rockets would want to forget their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. In front of a stunned Toyota Center, the Rockets let the opponent win 123-110 after trailing by as much as 16 points in the second quarter. Rockets center Jabari Smith Jr. acknowledged during the postgame interviews that Houston’s second-half effort set the stage for their eventual collapse.
When the 20-year-old was asked by the media if making shots at a high clip early in the game would have a negative impact later on, Smith touched on the team’s tendency after mounting the lead.
Smith answered, “Kinda,” according to Adam Spolane of SportsRadio 610. “Because everyone begins to feel well. When you have the lead, you might feel like it’s time to go it alone, but we need to stick together and play the entire game.
Smith also spoke about the ripple effect that the team’s performance in the second half had on the players.
He said, “Just a trickle-down effect with a lot of people.” “I feel like myself; I’ve taken some bad shots, which has affected my defense.” The level of intensity and energy decreases.
Smith’s remarks were evident in the Rockets’ 18 team assists as opposed to the Thunder’s 30 assists. The second quarter saw Houston open up a 16-point lead, but by the middle of the third, they were tied with Oklahoma City once more. Unfortunately for Jabari Smith Jr. and company, the Thunder won the game with a surge in the fourth quarter.
This next Tuesday in Oklahoma City, both teams will play again.
