Although Rockets' power forward Jabbarri Smith's shooting percentage is still poor, the 19-year-old big man has been good at rebounding in recent games. Among all rookies, Smith's rebounding data is also at the top level. In the latest NBA rookie list, two Rockets players were on the list, Jabbarry Smith ranked fifth and Tari Ethan ranked sixth.
No. 1 pick Banchero has been absent due to injury after the Rockets, so his ranking dropped to third place. Pacers 's first round No. 6 pick Benedict Mathering emerged, surpassing Ivy and Bancerro to rank first.
Smith and Mathering, the pair of high-ranking rookies, will "meet for the first time" in the regular season held on November 19, Beijing time. The Rockets faced the Pacers' challenge at home in this game, but unfortunately, the Rockets lack confidence. Currently, the Rockets' record is only 3 wins and 12 losses, ranking last in the West; the Pacers rank 6th in the East; it seems that they are already a playoff team. Although they sent away All-Star center Sabonis Jr. in the middle of last season, the Halliburton in exchange for it, as well as several famous players + rookies, the Pacers still maintained a very high competitive level.
In the last 8 games, Indian Pacers won 6 games, thanks to Mathering. The Pacers' super sixth man has been able to send 19.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 27.6 minutes this season, shooting 46.2% from the field and 45.5% from three-point shooting percentage.
Before the game, Dubos still gave his expected starting lineup. Although Porter Jr. Jr. was in doubt, Dubos still included him in the starting lineup. The Rockets are expected to start: Porter Jr., Green, Gordon , Smith Jr., and Shin Kyung; the Pacers are expected to start: Nembhard, Halliburton, Hild , Jaylen Smith , Myers Turner .
Injury, Tate and Fernando of the Rockets continued to be absent, and Porter Jr. played with a pain in his lower left waist; Pacers defender Duarte was absent due to an ankle injury, and Rockets former center Daniel Theis right knee surgery continued to be absent.
The Rockets are still on the weak side in this game, but this team often bursts out with considerable combat effectiveness against strong teams, especially against the young Pacers. Smith and Mathering's high-ranking rookie matchup is also worth watching. More importantly, if Smith of Tanhua Show wants to go further in the rookie rankings this season, she can only defeat her opponent and prove herself in the showdown with Mathering, so that she can improve her ranking.
