Key #1 – Run the fatigued Rockets ragged
Along with playing on their home court, the main advantage that the Utah Jazz will have in tonight’s bout is that they’re coming into the contest fresh whereas the Rockets are playing in the second night of a back-to-back after facing the Nuggets in Denver last night. Two consecutive games at altitude with travel in between may very well present a challenge for the Rockets, who could find themselves dealing with fatigue by night’s end.
And due to that situation, it will be critical that the Jazz seek to take complete advantage. On offense, Utah needs to push the tempo in an effort to earn some easy points in transition against the presumably heavy legs of the Rockets. On defense, the Jazz need to lock in at the highest of levels and force Houston into an uncomfortable grind where they have to work for each and every shot they take.
https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/967963977518125058
Utah’s best chance of winning will be turning the game into somewhat of a slug-fest that forces the Rockets out of their groove and causes exhaustion to step in. Houston’s 12-game winning streak has been impressive, but the second night of a back-to-back in the tough environment of Vivint Smart Home Arena feels like as likely of a spot for it to end as any.
If the Jazz control the pace and are able to get the Rockets out of their game plan and into a cold shooting night, they could very well come out on top. That will certainly be easier said then done, especially to a team like Houston that excels at controlling the tempo and is a solid 5-3 on back ends of back-to-backs, but considering that Utah walloped an elite Golden State team mere weeks ago, it’s entirely a possibility.