Reed Sheppard Stats Tonight: How did Rockets rookie fare against Toronto Raptors? (Dec. 22)

Reed Sheppard and the Houston Rockets visited the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, their first of two meetings this season. The rookie didn’t get into the game until 2:27 in the first quarter. Rockets coach Ime Udoka sent him in for Fred VanVleet.

Sheppard promptly contributed once he saw action. He grabbed back-to-back rebounds before draining a 26-footer off an Amen Thompson pass. Houston trailed 35-24 after the first quarter.

The No. 4 pick in this year’s draft started in the second quarter but did not last long. He played for roughly two minutes before VanVleet took his usual role in the lineup. Sheppard watched the rest of the period on the sidelines as the Rockets stayed within striking distance 57-51 at halftime.

Like in the first quarter, Reed Sheppard came in late to start the second half. He played in the last 2:27 but did not attempt a shot. The Rockets had their best stretch in the third quarter, outscoring Toronto 33-26 to take the lead 84-83 heading into the fourth quarter.

Sheppard remained on the bench in the entire fourth quarter as the Rockets held on for a 114-110 win.

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Reed Sheppard’s minutes and production have dropped in December

Last month, Reed Sheppard averaged 4.1 points and 1.5 assists in 12.9 minutes per game. Following the win against the Toronto Raptors, Sheppard is putting up 3.8 PPG and 0.3 APG in 11.0 MPG.

Even when Aaron Holiday, the veteran backup point guard, does not play, Ime Udoka has not given the rookie minutes. Udoka has relied on Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Amen Thompson. The former Boston Celtics coach often uses center Alperen Sengun, the hub of the offense, but Reed has not seen much action as a shooter, either.

The Rockets could shake up the roster before the trade deadline. It remains to be seen if Houston will address the logjam in the perimeter to give minutes to the highly-touted former Kentucky star.