NBA: Rockets dominate shorthanded Thunder behind Jabari Smith Jr.'s big performance

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points, Marcus Smart added 24 with seven 3-pointers, and the host Houston Rockets rolled to a 119-98 victory over the depleted Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

Smart started in place of Fred VanVleet (rest) and keyed an early charge. Smith and Alperen Sengun, who had 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, helped carry the load as the Rockets bounced back from a road loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, their first defeat of the season.

Smith added nine rebounds and five assists while shooting 6-for-12 from 3-point range. Smart finished 7-for-10 from beyond the arc as the Rockets made 18 of 41 3-point attempts (43.9%).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points to lead the Thunder, who were without three starters -- Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace -- because of long-term injuries. Kenrich Williams made three 3-pointers and tallied 11 points with seven rebounds, while Jared McCain chipped in 10 points. Isaiah Hartenstein had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Smart scored 12 points on 3-for-3 shooting from 3-point range in the first quarter. He also made three free throws in the period, while Kevin Durant scored 10 of his 14 points. The Rockets led 35-26 after making 10 of 11 free throws in the opening quarter.

The Rockets, who led by as many as 27, methodically pulled away in the second quarter. Houston took a 51-34 lead on a Sengun reverse layup and went up by 21 on a second-chance basket by Amen Thompson. The Thunder responded with a 10-0 run, but a Smith 3-pointer and a Thompson dunk helped the Rockets maintain a 62-51 halftime lead.

Gilgeous-Alexander almost single-handedly kept the Thunder within striking distance in the third quarter. His consecutive 3-pointers cut a 21-point deficit to 13, making it 83-70. But the Rockets pushed their lead back to 92-75 entering the fourth, and Smith closed the door with a pull-up jumper and another 3-pointer, stretching the margin to 103-81 with 8:39 remaining.

-Field Level Media/Reuters