The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: Top six matchups to look forward to in 2018-19

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 17: Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high-five after the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 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 - MARCH 17: Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high-five after the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 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) /
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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets hugs Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz after the game in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets hugs Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz after the game in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets

10/24 in H-Town, 12/6 in SLC, 12/17 in H-Town, 2/2 in SLC

Let’s not beat around the bush. The Houston Rockets manhandled the Utah Jazz in the second round of the playoffs this past year. As exciting as Utah’s Game 2 win was along with a few other moments, overall it was all Houston. Sure, things could have gone more Utah’s way had Ricky Rubio suited up, but let’s be honest, the Jazz were simply outmatched.

Such might not be the case in 2018-19, though. Not only do the Jazz figure to take yet another step forward as they continue to improve, but Chris Paul isn’t getting any younger, the Rockets lost both Luc Mbah a Moute and Trevor Ariza, and they added the controversial Carmelo Anthony whose fit as a positive contributor is iffy at best.

Factor in that, much like OKC will be out for revenge against Utah, the Jazz will likewise be seeking a chance to prove themselves against Houston, and I think we’ll see four exhilarating ‘chip on the shoulder’ kind of contests.

The Rockets may very well still be in a league ahead of the Jazz. But then again, maybe Utah has now caught up to them. Either way, we should get a good idea about how the two squads measure up when they face off four times in 2018-19.

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