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Jabari Smith Jr. · As the offensive “lid” finally began opening during the NBA Cup battle between the league’s No. 1 and No. 3-ranked defenses, the Houston Rockets likely took note of a scoreboard that showed victory slowly beginning to escape its grasp. Knowing it to be true for quite some time, the Houston Rockets found that in such moments, it pays to have a versatile, 6-foot-10 forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan reach. Stepping to the task of defending Lu Dort along the perimeter, Jabari Smith Jr. steps into action, mirroring the Oklahoma City Thunder guard stride-for-stride before meeting him at the apex for a powerful send-away rejection. Traveling back home with plenty to celebrate, even in defeat, the Rockets, for much of December 14, 2024’s clash, went toe-to-toe with one of the Western Conference’s expected contenders, despite their status as the league’s fifth-youngest team. Multifaceted in his own contributions, Smith tallied 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers. · State of Mint