{"id":34223,"date":"2026-01-10T01:45:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T05:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/jabari-smith-jr-cant-prevent-rockets-loss-to-blazers-111-105-last-night\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T01:45:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T05:45:53","slug":"16465-jabari-smith-jr-can-t-prevent-rockets-loss-to-blazers-111-105-last-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/16465-jabari-smith-jr-can-t-prevent-rockets-loss-to-blazers-111-105-last-night\/","title":{"rendered":"Jabari Smith Jr. can’t prevent Rockets’ loss to Blazers 111-105 last night"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jabari Smith Jr.<\/b> couldn’t prevent the Houston Rockets<\/b> from collapsing down the stretch. The Portland Trail Blazers<\/b> stormed back from 13 points down<\/b> in the fourth quarter to steal a 111-105<\/b> victory last night at Moda Center<\/b>. This devastating loss marks the Rockets’ second consecutive defeat<\/b> to Portland in just three days<\/b>.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts<\/h3>\n
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  • Final Score:<\/b> Trail Blazers 111<\/b>, Rockets 105<\/b> on January 9, 2026<\/li>\n
  • Kevin Durant Milestone:<\/b> KD<\/b> passed Wilt Chamberlain<\/b> for 7th all-time NBA scoring<\/b> with a early third-quarter three-pointer<\/li>\n
  • Fourth Quarter Collapse:<\/b> Portland<\/b> outscored Houston 19 points<\/b> in the final quarter after trailing by double digits<\/li>\n
  • Deni Avdija Dominant:<\/b> Trail Blazers star<\/b> scored 41 points<\/b>, including clutch late-game free throws<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    Rockets Blow 13-Point Fourth Quarter Lead<\/h2>\n

    The Rockets<\/b> entered the final quarter with a commanding 13-point advantage<\/b> after an explosive third quarter. Reed Sheppard<\/b> led the charge with 11 third-quarter points<\/b>, including three long-range bombs, as Houston<\/b> built what looked like a decisive cushion at 89-76<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Everything unraveled in minutes. A devastating 11-0 Portland run<\/b> sliced the lead to just two points. Deni Avdija<\/b> then took over, driving to the basket and converting four consecutive free throws<\/b> to put the Blazers<\/b> ahead 100-99 with 3 minutes<\/b> remaining. The Rockets<\/b> never recovered from the momentum shift.<\/p>\n

    Smith Jr. Fouls at Critical Moment, Game Slips Away<\/h2>\n

    Jabari Smith Jr.<\/b> made the costly mistake with 1:48 left<\/b> when he fouled Sidy Cissoko<\/b> on a three-point attempt. Cissoko<\/b> made all three free throws<\/b>, extending the Blazers’ lead to four<\/b>. A Kevin Durant<\/b> jumper got the Rockets<\/b> within two, but Houston<\/b> turned the ball over on their next possession.<\/p>\n

    Portland<\/b> sealed the win with a Cissoko alley-oop<\/b> with 1:03 remaining<\/b>. Smith Jr.<\/b> finished with a quiet performance, unable to generate scoring punch when the Rockets<\/b> needed an offensive spark most in the closing moments.<\/p>\n

    Durant’s Historic Night Overshadowed by Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Player<\/td>\nPoints<\/td>\nNotable Factor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Deni Avdija (Blazers)<\/b><\/td>\n41<\/b><\/td>\nDominated fourth quarter with crucial free throws<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Amen Thompson (Rockets)<\/b><\/td>\n15<\/b><\/td>\nLed Rockets scoring at halftime alongside Durant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Kevin Durant (Rockets)<\/b><\/td>\n14<\/b><\/td>\nMade historic seventh all-time scoring milestone in third quarter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Toumani Camara (Blazers)<\/b><\/td>\n18<\/b><\/td>\nFound success early with 16 first-half points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

    Kevin Durant<\/b> passed Wilt Chamberlain<\/b> for seventh place<\/b> on the NBA’s all-time scoring list<\/b> with a three-pointer early in the third quarter, marking a career milestone amid the game’s chaos. The historic achievement felt hollow after Houston<\/b> squandered a winning position.<\/p>\n

    Rockets<\/b> shot poorly from deep again, making just 2-of-14<\/b> three-pointers in the first half. Portland<\/b> dominated from distance at 9-of-24<\/b> early, setting the tone for an offensive mismatch that haunted Houston<\/b> throughout.<\/p>\n

    “Rockets’ Ime Udoka lamented horrendous defensive discipline in loss to Blazers. The Rockets’ inability to come up with timely stops down the stretch helped doom them to a loss in Portland.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \u2014 Houston Chronicle<\/b>, Game Coverage<\/p>\n

    Injury Troubles Mount as Rockets Fall<\/h2>\n

    Houston<\/b> lost Tari Eason<\/b> to a right ankle sprain<\/b> in the fourth quarter, removing a rotation piece when the team needed all hands on deck. Eason<\/b> had 6 points in 15 minutes<\/b> before the injury ended his night. Josh Okogie<\/b> provided a spark off the bench with energetic defense, including a key steal from Donovan Clingan<\/b> that led to Reed Sheppard’s<\/b> fourth-quarter three-pointer.<\/p>\n

    The Rockets<\/b> now face urgent questions about consistency and finishing ability. Jabari Smith Jr.<\/b> must elevate his presence if Houston<\/b> hopes to avoid repeating this pattern. With Kevin Durant’s<\/b> scoring prowess and Amen Thompson’s<\/b> versatility, the talent exists. Execution in crunch time separated the two teams.<\/p>\n

    Can the Rockets Bounce Back Against Elite West Competition?<\/h2>\n

    Portland’s<\/b> five-game winning streak<\/b> came at Houston’s<\/b> expense, with the Trail Blazers<\/b> now 19-20<\/b> after splitting the season series. The Rockets<\/b> fall to 22-13<\/b>, still well-positioned in the Western Conference<\/b> standings, but momentum has shifted south<\/b> after consecutive losses to a .500 team<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    The resilience test comes next for Ime Udoka’s<\/b> squad. Will Smith Jr.<\/b> respond with better shot selection and situational awareness? Can Houston<\/b> tighten perimeter defense to prevent Portland-style<\/b> fourth-quarter explosions? The answers determine whether this loss fades into February’s rearview mirror or signals deeper issues in the Rockets’<\/b> playoff push.<\/p>\n

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    Watch: Full Game Highlights<\/h3>\n