NBA: Reed Sheppard hopes for continued spark as Rockets visit Sixers

Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard isn’t the best player on the team, but right now he might be their most important.

Sheppard will look to continue his strong recent play when the Rockets visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.

This game kicks off a brief two-game road trip for Houston. They will head to Detroit on Friday before returning to Southeast Texas. The Rockets reached the midpoint of their season Tuesday with a 111-106 home win over the San Antonio Spurs, improving their record to 26-15 through 41 games.

Alperen Sengun recorded 20 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, while Kevin Durant added 18 points. However, it was Sheppard, the second-year guard, who sparked the win by scoring 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter.

“It’s a great feeling,” Sheppard said. “A lot of it is confidence from me, but a lot of it is also my teammates. Once I make one, they’re looking for me, telling me to go get the ball. The crowd plays a big role as well.”

Sheppard has made 11 3-pointers over the last three games, helping Houston build momentum.

Jabari Smith Jr. has also been key during the Rockets’ three-game winning streak. He scored a season-high 32 points in Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans, then added 17 points with no turnovers in 35 minutes on Tuesday.

“They turn us into a different team when they play that aggressively and knock down shots,” Durant said of Smith and Sheppard.

Houston’s added depth is especially important now, as coach Ime Udoka confirmed that center Steven Adams will be sidelined indefinitely with an ankle injury.

“Severely sprained ankle,” Udoka said. “I think (it’s) a Grade 3 or so, but still gathering information and opinions. I don’t think he’ll be back anytime soon.”

76ers Look to Bounce Back After Recent Slump

Philadelphia has dealt with injuries all season, but they are relatively healthy heading into Thursday’s game. Paul George (left knee) missed the last two games, and Joel Embiid (right ankle) rested in the second half of Tuesday’s back-to-back game. Both could return on Thursday, with Embiid listed as probable and George questionable.

Tyrese Maxey could certainly use the support. The dynamic guard leads the Sixers with 30 points per game, but he has struggled recently, shooting just 37.5% from the field and 25% from three-point range in his last four games.

Maxey was just 7 of 25 from the floor in Tuesday’s 116-110 home loss to the Phoenix Suns, finishing with 20 points.

“They used a bunch of guys on him. They were super physical on him,” said Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse, whose team has lost four of its last six games. “I did think he got some pretty decent opportunities. Unfortunately he had a little bit of a cold shooting night.”

On the bright side for the Sixers, rookie VJ Edgecombe delivered 25 points and seven rebounds in a strong performance against Phoenix. Kelly Oubre also added 21 points, one day after scoring 18 in the first game of a back-to-back. Those were his best performances since returning from a knee injury two weeks ago.

“I still don’t feel like I’m back 100%,” Oubre said. “But every day is a new challenge, and I try to get 1% better every day.”

Series Notes

This is the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Rockets won both matchups last season, each by seven points.

— Field Level Media/Reuters