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Josh Smith to make 1st start for Rockets on Sunday

Justin Ford / USA Today Sports

After a solid, 21-point, 8-rebound debut on Friday night, newly-signed Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith will draw his first start for his new team when they take on the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, according to head coach Kevin McHale

Smith came up with some big plays down the stretch in the Rockets' 117-111 overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, which was apparently enough to convince McHale to shake up his starting lineup. 

Returning to the bench will be Donatas Motiejunas, who's been drawing starts at power forward in the absence of Terrence Jones, out since early November due to a nerve problem in his leg. 

Motiejunas has responded with what's been a career year thus far, averaging 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds in 27.6 minutes per game, while shooting 49 percent from the field. 

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