The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets: Keys to snapping Clutch City’s streak

By Jared Woodcox

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz share a moment after the game between the two teams on December 18, 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz share a moment after the game between the two teams on December 18, 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz share a moment after the game between the two teams on December 18, 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz share a moment after the game between the two teams on December 18, 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Utah Jazz will be in for quite the challenge tonight as they look to put an end to the Houston Rockets’ 12-game winning streak.

Despite putting up an amazing 11-game win streak just before the All-Star break, the Utah Jazz didn’t look all that incredible in their pair of games last week as they were handily defeated by the Portland Trail Blazers to end their streak, then barely squeaked by the hapless Dallas Mavericks. The Jazz are certainly still in playoff contention, but with teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets and Blazers all playing well, it’s been hard for Utah to make up ground.

It’s going to be even more of a challenge for them to do so tonight as they’ll host the red hot Houston Rockets who now boast a win streak of 12 straight games after defeating the Denver Nuggets in the Mile High City last night. James Harden and Co. have looked absolutely unstoppable as they’ve climbed to the top seed in the Western Conference.

The Jazz have already lost three times to the Rockets this year, so it’s going to require a major turnaround if Utah is to take them down tonight in their final matchup of the regular season. If the Jazz are to have any hope of doing just that, they’ll need to look much more like the team that hit the floor during the amazing win streak and not like the one that’s showed up the past two games.

Boasting the best record in the league, the Houston Rockets are far from an easy team to beat. However, if the Jazz are to do it, they’ll need to especially excel in the following three areas.

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