The Utah Jazz are set to play their second road game of the new season on Wednesday night, visiting the Houston Rockets in the Toyota Center.
Have you ever drank orange juice right after brushing your teeth? Yeah, don’t do that. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The Utah Jazz likely have an even worse taste in their mouths following an ugly defeat at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
The team may be eager to get rid of that bad taste, but it won’t come easy against the reigning MVP James Harden and his Houston Rockets. Thankfully for the Jazz, Chris Paul will not be playing in this game, as he’s currently serving a suspension for his recent altercation with Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram. James Ennis will also miss the game, as he’s dealing with a hamstring injury. Michael Carter-Williams will be starting in his place.
Breaking: Sources tell @wojespn that Brandon Ingram has been suspended 4 games; Rajon Rondo - 3 games; Chris Paul - 2 games. pic.twitter.com/4rDOwr6PTO
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 21, 2018
The Rockets are off to a tough start this season, as they’re 1-2 through the first three games. Many people believe they took a step back after losing both Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute in free agency.
After ripping the nets against the Golden State Warriors last Friday, the Jazz couldn’t throw a rock in the ocean against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. Since the Rockets shoot so many 3-pointers, it will be important for the Jazz to knock down their 3-point shots in response. Specifically, look for some shots from deep to fall early in the game. That would be a potential confidence booster for the team.
Obviously, containing James Harden will be Utah’s biggest priority. However, matchup wise, the Jazz will need to keep their eyes on P.J. Tucker and Carmelo Anthony. They both play power forward for Houston. I see Derrick Favors as more of a center than he is a power forward in today’s game. That being said, since Favors is starting at the four, he’ll need to do the best he can contesting shots on the perimeter. Fortunately, Tucker and Anthony aren’t lightning quick by any means at this point in their careers.
Getting Donovan Mitchell going will be important for the Jazz, but they shouldn’t make it the top priority. Mitchell is currently shooting 34.4 percent from the field. In my opinion, the Jazz should wait until the game is decided, if it reaches that point, to prioritize simply getting Mitchell in rhythm. You can’t have Mitchell, or anyone on the team, shooting you out of a game.
Unfortunately, it’ll be a tough game and I have the Rockets protecting their home court.
Prediction – Rockets 114, Jazz 107
The Jazz have a tough schedule to open the year, and every win counts. It’s going to be important for them to forget about last game and just do whatever it takes to beat the Rockets in Houston. It’s also important to start off a road trip on the right foot. The game will get underway at 6:00 PM MT on Wednesday night.