It’s no secret that the Houston Rockets shooting has been nothing short of abysmal. In terms of three-point shots attempted, Houston is in the middle of the pack at 15 in attempting 36.3 three-point shots per game. However, looking at all 30 NBA teams, Houston ranks second to last in three-point percentage at 32.5 percent. The only team that shoots worse from three than Houston is the Orlando Magic, who shoot 31.1 percent from deep. Thankfully, despite a slow start to the season, forward Jabari Smith Jr. appears to have found his three-point shooting groove. Over the past 10 games, Jabari is shooting 39.6 percent from three and is shooting 44 percent in the past 17 games after shooting just 25 percent in the first 12 games this season.
Jabari Smith Jr.’s improved three-point shot is a glimmer of hope for poor shooting Rockets
Despite a slow start to the year, Smith is coming into his own in his third season.
Shooting in October
In October, Jabari shot 33.2 percent from three in Houston’s four preseason games. While not terrible, that’s not exactly the shooting you want from someone who has the capability of being the team’s best three-point shooter. Unfortunately, as the regular season started, the shot got worse. In the first five regular season games, Jabari shot 2-for-5 versus Charlotte, 0-for-3 versus Memphis, 1-for-4 versus San Antonio for the first matchup, 2-for-4, in the second matchup with San Antonio, and 1-for-5 versus Dallas. To boil it down by counting pre-season games, Jabari shot 30.1 percent from three, but without counting pre-season Jabari’s monthly percentage decreased to 28.6 percent.
Shooting in November
In November, Jabari’s shooting massively improved. Jabari had multiple games with at least three three-pointers made. One of Jabari’s best games of the season was against the Golden State Warriors on November 2, where he shot 5-for-13 from deep. Houston ultimately lost the game, but Jabari was a massive factor in helping the Rocket’s send the game to overtime. For the month of November, Jabari shot 38.2 percent from three.
Shooting in December
In December, Jabari’s is shooting a respectable 37.1 percent for the month of December and is third on the team in three-point shooting percentage over the first three months of the season at 36.4 percent overall. In December, Jabari has made at least one three-point shot in every game and has made two three-pointers twice and three three-pointers twice as well.
Hopefully, Jabari continues his improved three-point shooting, as it looks like the type of play we saw from him in college is finally starting to translate to the NBA.
See More:
