The Utah Jazz will travel to Houston to take on the Houston Rockets for game 2 of their Western Conference Playoff matchup. The Rockets lead the series 1-0 after defeating the Utah Jazz 110-96 in the series opener. Utah advanced to the second round by upsetting the Oklahoma City Thunder 4 games to 2. The Rockets are the NBA’s top team and dispatched the Minnesota Timberwolves in 5 games in round 1.
This series hinges on Utah’s ability to slow down potential MVP, James Harden. Harden has tormented the Jazz in all of their matchups this season. Utah will also be without Ricky Rubio in game 2, and potentially this entire series. The Jazz are +11.0 against the Houston Rockets in game 2.
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Houston Needs to Find Depth
The Rockets were able to win game 1 without much help from their reserves. The Houston bench only accounted for 13 combined points in their series opening victory. Shooting guard Eric Gordon scored 7 points off the bench in game 1, but failed to make a field goal attempt. If the Rockets are going to win game 2, and the series, they need to find more depth.
James Harden once again flirted with a triple double in game 1, tallying 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Harden knows that the Jazz don’t have anyone that can stop him, and will continue to be aggressive in game 2. The rest of the starting cast performed well in game 1, most notably center Clint Capela.
Jazz Need a Playmaker
Rookie Donovan Mitchell has led the Jazz all season long, but his job becomes tougher without Ricky Rubio. Mitchell does a great job of making plays for himself, but the Jazz need a point guard to step up. Look for Dante Exum, second year man from Australia, to play a bigger role in game 2.
Jazz center Rudy Gobert has been great all postseason for the Jazz. Gobert is averaging 13.5 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game in these playoffs, and needs to be more aggressive in game 2. Gobert made all of his shot attempts in game 1, but only took 4 shots.
Rockets Stay Hot, Blast Jazz
The Utah Jazz will likely give Jae Crowder the defensive assignment on Harden in game 2. Even if Crowder is able to contain Harden, the Rockets have too many other weapons that the Jazz must defend. Houston was able to win game 1 without any production from their bench, but their bench won’t be kept down for long.
The Rockets know that the Jazz struggle to score without Rubio, and they will turn up the defensive pressure. Donovan Mitchell has been tremendous all year for the Jazz, but he just doesn’t have enough help in this series. The Rockets are the league’s best team at home, and they will defend home court in game 2. Look for the Houston Rockets to get a big win over the Utah Jazz in game 2. Bet the Rockets -11.0 over the Jazz.
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