The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets: Keys to bouncing back from a tough loss

By Jared Woodcox

HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 5: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets talk after the game on November 5, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 5: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets talk after the game on November 5, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 16: Clint Cappella #15 of the Houston Rockets gets introduced before the game against the Phoenix Suns on November 16, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 16: Clint Cappella #15 of the Houston Rockets gets introduced before the game against the Phoenix Suns on November 16, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Prediction – Rockets 121, Jazz 111

As you probably gathered throughout this piece, though I’d love to see the Utah Jazz get back to their winning ways on Thursday night, I’m feeling less than optimistic that it will actually happen. Prior to the frustrating loss to the Thunder, the Jazz were truly on a tear and playing exceptionally well, but even so I don’t think they have quite what it takes to defeat the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets have clearly separated themselves as one of the league’s elite teams this year and although Utah has looked much improved from the last time these two squads met, they still have plenty of kinks to work out before they can consider themselves a true threat to such a team.

Next: Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell breaks another rookie record

Sure, the Jazz could get hot or their defense could force Houston into a rough shooting night so winning isn’t out of the question, it just seems highly unlikely. Still, Utah has been playing very well at home and there’s almost no way the Rockets repeat their hot shooting from the last meeting, so I’m expecting a much closer bout than the last time around, albeit with the same result.

After playing Houston on Thursday, the Jazz will set out on a six-game road trip that begins in Milwaukee on Saturday.

Home/Jazz News