The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets: Who has the edge at each position?

By Tyler Thorpe

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket as Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets defends and James Harden #13 brings up the rear at Toyota Center on December 18, 2017 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. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket as Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets defends and James Harden #13 brings up the rear at Toyota Center on December 18, 2017 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. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 26: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 26, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 26: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 26, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Point Guard: Ricky Rubio* vs. Chris Paul

*Ricky Rubio suffered a hamstring injury in Utah’s Game 6 victory against OKC and will miss at least Sunday’s Game 1 against the Rockets.

Ricky Rubio has been fantastic so far in his first playoff appearance of his career. That is what makes his injury so difficult for Utah to overcome. Fingers crossed that Rubio’s recovery will go well and we’ll be seeing the Spanish Samurai sooner rather than later in this series.

With that said, this is a matchup the Rockets were going to win regardless. Chris Paul is a sure-fire future Hall of Famer. Rubio’s injury just increases the margin of Houston’s advantage at the point guard position.

It will be interesting to see how Utah plans to replace Rubio during his absence. Royce O’Neale, Dante Exum and Alec Burks (with Donovan Mitchell switching to play PG) are all viable options. None, however, come close to matching the level of talent that Chris Paul brings to the table.

Still, the Jazz will be anxious to send Paul packing for the second straight year. 

Despite not yet making a Conference Finals, Paul brings plenty of playoff experience to the series and his ability to facilitate the ball and run Houston’s offense is crucial to their success.

Paul is averaging 19 points, 6.6 assists and four rebounds so far this postseason. No matter who Utah employs to matchup with CP3, they won’t match that kind of production.

Factor in the fact that Paul is also an above average defender and Houston takes this matchup with relative ease.

It will be fun, however, to see Mitchell and Paul matchup throughout the series.

Advantage: Houston

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