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Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets Preview: Jazz travel to Houston with bitter taste in their mouths

By Josh Padmore

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 8: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets greets 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: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets greets 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) /
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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.

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.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 22: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on in the first half of a NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 22, 2018 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 22: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on in the first half of a NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 22, 2018 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Unfortunately, it’ll be a tough game and I have the Rockets protecting their home court.

Prediction – Rockets 114, Jazz 107

Next. Is Donovan Mitchell in a sophomore slump or merely off to a slow start?. dark

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.

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