Inside The Rockets

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. On Game-Winning 3 vs. Pelicans: 'It Was A Special Moment'

Jabari Smith Jr.'s game-winning basket in comeback victory over the Pelicans illustrates the Houston Rockets' on-going confidence in the rookie from Auburn.

Coty M. Davis

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HOUSTON — Jabari Smith Jr. said he had the same mindset as his game-tying shot against the Indiana Pacers on March 9.

"I wasn't the first option," Smith said. "But as I watched as the first few options weren't open, I just flashed to the ball and trusted myself."

Smith drilled a go-ahead 3-point field goal attempt in the final four seconds of the fourth quarter. His basket gave the Houston Rockets a 114-112 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Friday night inside the Toyota Center.

He finished the game with 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the field. His lone 3-point basket gifted the Rockets their 18th victory of the season.

"I've been shooting game winners all my life," Smith said. "It was a special moment for sure."

Smith drilled the shot over the top of Pelicans' forward Naji Marshall. He described the moment as if he was in a video game. Smith said his mind went blank for a moment, and all he saw was his defender and the basket. 

Coach Stephen Silas revealed Smith was not the first option on the inbound play. The original play was for Jalen Green or Kevin Porter Jr., but Jae'Sean Tate could not inbound the ball to either player.

A quick decision led to Tate inbounding the ball to Smith. But once the rookie from Auburn received the pass, Silas and Smith's teammates knew the ball ended up in the right hands.

"It meant a lot," Smith said. "They have also trusted me to take those shots, even through the misses. They are the reason I have the confidence to take that shot, so big ups to them."

Kevin Porter Jr. added: "It was a big one. He is one of our best shooters. He has one of the prettiest jumpers I've ever seen at that height. When he shoots, he sees no one but the rim. We have all the confidence in the world in him."

Smith's game-winning field goal capped off a 34-point fourth quarter for Houston. The Rockets entered the final period trailing the Pelicans by 10 (90-80). But Houston's defense held New Orleans to a game-low 22 points in the quarter on 38.9 percent shooting.

Smith's go-ahead basket was a complete 180 from the shot he drilled inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse 10 days ago.

His late-game heroics against the Pacers sent the game into overtime, where the Rockets ended up sustaining a 134-125 loss. 

The best moment for Smith took place during Houston's post-game celebration. He gifted the game-ball to his father, Jabari Smith Sr., instead of keeping it for himself. 

"It meant a lot," Smith said. "We have been through a lot. He has been with me every step of the way — through all the ups and downs. I was just showing my love to him."

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Coty M. Davis
COTY M. DAVIS

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