What happened: Jabari Smith Jr. turned interior rim protection into fast-break offense, setting up Kevin Durant for a transition three-pointer while the game remains in progress. The two-way sequence converted a defensive stop at the basket directly into perimeter points against the Atlanta Hawks.

Why it matters: Pairing Smith Jr.'s interior defense with Durant's perimeter shot-making gives Houston a versatile frontcourt tandem on both ends of the floor. Generating transition offense off blocks allows the Rockets to dictate early tempo.

What to watch: Action continues in Atlanta as the Rockets look to build on their early advantage.