clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Utah Jazz look to ground Houston Rockets like a SpaceX prototype

After shocking the Rockets in Houston in Game 2, the Jazz—powered by their intimidating home crow—look to take a 2-1 lead in this series.

NBA: Playoffs-Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

8:25pm. We listened to your feedback. We’re going from top down with the live thread. Do you want the latest update scroll until you get to the Game Info.

8:27pm. Anybody else nervous? The Utah Jazz shock the world and every Jazz fan has their lucky totem out. Myself included. So many things have to go right for Utah to win. The comforting thing is with Utah’s defense and home court advantage, so many things have to go right for Houston.

8:35pm. By the way ... guess who’s wearing his Venom Adidas. Have a feeling we won’t see the friendly part of the our neighborhood Spida-Man tonight.

NBA: Playoffs-Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

1st Quarter

8:47pm. Well that escalated quickly. Houston jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead. Timeout by Quin Snyder. Joe Ingles did hit a 3 from the logo, though.

Utah Jazz 22 - Houston Rockets 39

So that was probably as bad a quarter that Utah could have. They came out looking for their crowd to carry their energy rather than themselves. They played tight, they turned the ball over, and the Houston Rockets massacred Utah’s lineup with O’Neale and Favors in it. We might be at a point that Utah can’t be in this series if they play Favors and Gobert together against Houston. They can dominate other teams, but Houston’s playing style is a kryptonite. Donovan Mitchell looked all out of sorts. It seems like the terrible sophomore rookie game in the playoffs is contagious.


2nd quarter

9:18pm. Well ... this is not what we expected at all. Expected an intense game, but not a complete annihilation. Utah can’t get anything going and Donovan Mitchell has completely been taken out of this game.

Utah Jazz 40 - Houston Rockets 70

This is a nightmare scenario for Utah. Donovan Mitchell is doing his best Ben Simmons impression. Rudy Gobert is getting worked by Clint Capela. Joe Ingles has 5 turnovers alone. That’s 2 more turnovers than the entire Houston Rockets.

When Donovan Mitchell penetrates to the lane, he’s avoiding contact. Because of that, Houston has shut down Mitchell. No one is even close to foul trouble for Houston. Clint Capela is putting on DPOY performance with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. He’s +30 in the game. James Harden has 10 points, Chris Paul has 12 points. But the main reason this game is completely out of hand is Utah has been completely unable to contain Houston’s role players. Eric Gordon? 17 points. PJ Tucker? 9 points. Ariza? 9 points.

The Utah Jazz look in need of a point guard. Houston adjusted to point guard Donovan Mitchell and have taken him out of the game. Can Quin Snyder make the right adjustments and get Utah back into this game? It’s not very likely. As with anything in this Utah season, you can’t count Utah out, but it looks very doubtful Utah can make a comeback against a team this overpowering while being down this much.


3rd Quarter

Utah Jazz 65 - Houston Rockets 93

The Utah Jazz won the 3rd quarter so there’s that. Other than that, Quin Snyder has waved the white flag. He has brought his starters out. He’s playing big time minutes to his bench guys and Donovan Mitchell who he’s hoping to get back in rhythm. Derrick Favors went out with an injury to his ankle. Only two Jazz players are in double figures: Royce O’Neale and Rudy Gobert. This is the worst case scenario.


Game Info

When: 8:30MT • Friday May 4th, 2018

Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena · Salt Lake City, Utah

TV: ESPN

Radio: 1280 AM/97.5 FM The Zone,

Injuries:

Utah Jazz:

Thabo Sefolosha - Knee - Out for season

Ricky Rubio - Hamstring - Out for 10 days

Houston Rockets:

Nobody. Must be nice.


Ground Rules

Welcome to the SLC Dunk Live Thread. This is new as we’ll have game updates throughout it. Dunkers know how this thing works, but for you lurkers ready to make the jump to Dunker, we have a few guidelines. Remember to follow our community guidelines (no swearing, trolling, excessive use of Jerry Sloan’s name in vain, no personal attacks, no debates about Utah liquor laws, etc.). Remember to have fun. Anyone who dare blasphemes that Tim Duncan was a Power Forward or John Stockton is not the best point guard of all-time will receive an automatic ban. Just kidding. But seriously.