SLC Dunk - NBA Regular Season: Houston Rockets (24-22) at Utah Jazz (24-20) -- Game 45Our Team Is On The Floorhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29190/slc-redunk-fv.jpg2013-01-29T07:37:05-07:00http://www.slcdunk.com/rss/stream/36904492013-01-29T07:37:05-07:002013-01-29T07:37:05-07:00Rockets @ Jazz -- Full Recap: WHY GOD?? WHY??
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lrLqPBd9LW7B_Wc2ALrb9FTMeh8=/0x200:2667x1978/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7287327/20130128_lbm_ai4_103.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Game #45 • Energy Solution Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • January 28, 2013 • 7:00 p.m. (MT) • TV: ROOT Sports RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes</p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 45:</h3>
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> 125 @ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> 80<br>
</h3>
<p><u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2013/1/28/3926408/nba-regular-season-houston-rockets-24-22-at-utah-jazz-24-20-game-45">#HOUatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/">The Dream Shake</a></u> -- <u>Rockets vs Jazz coverage</u></p>
<p><i>Walk like a Nigerian.</i></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4 align="left">The Basics:</h4>
<p>Last night the Houston Rockets came into our gym, set the pace of the game, and never let up. The Jazz responded with little fight, and ended up getting ravaged at home by 45 points, also known as the worst home loss of all time. The Rockets starters repeatedly penetrated through our defenses, with <span>James Harden</span> and <span>Jeremy Lin</span> either finishing layups, getting to the line, or dishing off for assists. They started off rocky -- but went on an early 15-3 run in the first quarter. The Jazz, bereft of <span>Mo Williams</span> (starting PG) and <span>Gordon Hayward</span> (6th man), did manage to make it close at the end of the first. The Jazz finished the first quarter down 6 points.</p>
<p><span>Tyrone Corbin</span> went with the "All Bench guys" lineup that honestly no other head coach in the entire NBA uses, and the Rockets started rumbling for another blast off -- Corbin then went with a mixed line up, and then an All-Starters lineup. None of it worked as Houston went on 17-4 and 8-0 runs in the second. Kevin McHale was getting great results from everyone on the floor: Lin and Harden were carving us up. <span>Omer Asik</span> dominated the glass. Guys like <span>Chandler Parsons</span> and <span>Carlos Delfino</span> were making their outside jumpers, and finishing at the rim. This must have been one of the most personally satisfying regular season wins in Houston Rockets' Fans history.</p>
<p>The 18 point halftime deficit was just too much to comprehend; the Jazz did not appear to fix anything at halftime and the starters did not respond to any halftime motivation. During the entire night Houston would let Jeremy Lin roam around and double when we'd try to post up <span>Al Jefferson</span>. Our passing was slow and predictable, and not sharp and effective. As a result, everything was slow and ate up too much clock.</p>
<p>In one way, that's fine, because we were trying to control the pace of the game; however, it also took us out of our game. We didn't play Jazz basketball last night. And what we saw last night was not defensible at all, unless you are paid to specifically write only good things about the team.</p>
<ul>
<li> <span>Marvin Williams</span> was allowed to touch the ball inside of 15 feet, and he was aggressive and finished with 7 points (3/6 fg, 1 three, missed both FTs), 5 rebounds, 2 assists; but ultimately was not used correctly for the 40th game in a row</li>
<li> <span>Paul Millsap</span> shot 2/9, finished with 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist</li>
<li>Al Jefferson shot 5/14, finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and some of the WORST defense I've ever seen him play (and yes, as a starting bigman in the NBA part of your responsibility is defending guards on pick and rolls / team defense). Sometimes he doesn't even know who has the ball in his hands on defense; or if he knows, then he doesn't understand the fundamental of turning his back to the ball handler. He's not a 21 year old. He should know better. He is paid better.</li>
<li> <span>Randy Foye</span> did all he could, but no one can stay in front of James Harden. Foye had 12 points off of 13 shots, and 2 assists.</li>
<li> <span>Jamaal Tinsley</span> had 1 assist, he also went 2/5 from downtown. But that's not why we have him on the court.</li>
<li> <span>Derrick Favors</span> went for 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 6 free throw attempts (3 makes), and went 4/9 fg with a variety of moves. <br>
</li>
<li> <span>DeMarre Carroll</span> only played 11 minutes tonight but I wonder why he did not play more</li>
<li> <span>Enes Kanter</span> finished with 20 minutes, but during the later stages of the 3rd quarter he had only played 5 minutes. He ended the game with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and went 1/2 from the FT line. Millsap and Jefferson went there zero times. Favors and Kanter went there 8 times. A big part of the perceived gameplan was to get Asik in foul trouble -- but our starting bigs did not. Asik ended up with 19 rebounds -- which was the first part of their running attack. Playing Kanter 5 mins did not help.</li>
<li> <span>Earl Watson</span> only played 10 minutes, and he wins by being only -5 in +/-. <br>
</li>
<li> <span>Alec Burks</span> is the reason we lost this game because he had one bad turn over in the first quarter at the END of the quarter. He did finish with 8 points (6 shots), got to the line 6 times, had 4 assists to 2 TOs (so after that first TO he went 3:1 which is what we want our ball handlers to do), 1 rebound, and 1 block. <br>
</li>
<li> <span>Jeremy Evans</span> played the 3 in garbage time, and <span>Kevin Murphy</span> also played -- and they were a mixed bag. Murphy did shoot the ball 6 times in 12 minutes, finishing off a dunk and a three among his four FGM. Glad we're not going to see him next game as Ty plays the starters all 32+ mins.</li>
</ul>
<p>The next game is at home on Wednesday hosting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">New Orleans Hornets</a>. The old Jazz teams would respond to this type of game with a blowout win. How this team responds will go a long way towards providing more and more evidence about the make up of this 2012-2013 Utah Jazz.</p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2013/1/29/3928158/nba-regular-season-houston-rockets-125-at-utah-jazz-80-why-god-whyyyAllThatAmar2013-01-28T21:34:07-07:002013-01-28T21:34:07-07:00Rockets @ Jazz -- Jazz lose 125-80
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wAlIA1fGfMQL_9vh2GwK41MGsUU=/0x242:3200x2375/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7272777/20130128_lbm_ai4_100.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Game #45 • Energy Solution Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • January 28, 2013 • 7:00 p.m. (MT) • TV: ROOT Sports RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes</p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 45:</h3>
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> 125 @ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> 80<br>
</h3>
<p><u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2013/1/28/3926408/nba-regular-season-houston-rockets-24-22-at-utah-jazz-24-20-game-45">#HOUatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/">The Dream Shake</a></u> -- <u>Rockets vs Jazz coverage</u></p>
<p><i>Walk like a Nigerian.</i></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4 align="center">The Basics:</h4>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1415071/worst_plane_crash.jpg"><img alt="Worst_plane_crash" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1415071/worst_plane_crash.jpg" height="269" width="439"></a></p>
<p align="center">via <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IX8poG1JX9c/SjDTyHzhdSI/AAAAAAAAAZo/rHVY4El-TNk/s320/worst_plane_crash.jpg">4.bp.blogspot.com</a></p>
<p><br id="1359433803468"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Houston Rockets won the game. Bully for them. / Ron Swanson voice</p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2013/1/28/3927324/nba-regular-season-houston-rockets-125-at-utah-jazz-80-game-recapAllThatAmar2013-01-28T18:36:43-07:002013-01-28T18:36:43-07:00Rockets @ Jazz -- Game Thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/um3Bh_VdPq_6yE7J1I9F921Rqm4=/0x1111:2667x2889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7266201/20121119_ajl_ai4_380.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Game #45 • Energy Solution Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • January 28, 2013 • 7:00 p.m. (MT) • TV: ROOT Sports RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes</p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 45:</h3>
<h3> <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> (24-22) @ <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a> (24-20)<br> </h3>
<p><u><a href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2013/1/28/3926408/nba-regular-season-houston-rockets-24-22-at-utah-jazz-24-20-game-45" target="_blank">#HOUatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/" target="_blank">The Dream Shake</a></u> -- <u>Rockets vs Jazz coverage</u></p>
<p><em>Walk like a Nigerian.</em></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>The Starters:</h4>
<ul> <li>PG: <span>Jeremy Lin</span> vs. <span>Jamaal Tinsley</span> </li> <li>SG: <span>James Harden</span> vs. <span>Randy Foye</span> </li> <li>SF: <span>Chandler Parsons</span> vs. <span>Marvin Williams</span> </li> <li>PF: <span>Patrick Patterson</span> vs. <span>Paul Millsap</span> </li> <li>C: <span>Omer Asik</span> vs. <span>Al Jefferson</span> </li> </ul>
<fieldset class="poll-box">
<legend>Poll</legend>
<h5 class="poll-title">Who will win tonight?</h5>
<div id="poll_container_164191_76754182" class="poll_container">
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">17%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>The Mighty Utah Jazz</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">8</span> votes</div>
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<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">83%</div>
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<h5>The Houston Rockettes</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">40</span> votes</div>
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</div>
<p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>48</strong> votes
| <span class="poll-has-closed">Poll has closed</span>
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new SBN.Poll('poll_container_164191_76754182').animateResults({renderImmediately:true});
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https://www.slcdunk.com/2013/1/28/3926734/nba-regular-season-houston-rockets-24-22-at-utah-jazz-24-20-gameAllThatAmar2013-01-28T17:19:24-07:002013-01-28T17:19:24-07:00Rockets @ Jazz -- Game Preview
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Llp-R9tzpC51NQbiFOMW36nznUY=/0x630:3000x2630/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7263701/20121119_ajl_ai4_374.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Game #45 • Energy Solution Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • January 28, 2013 • 7:00 p.m. (MT) • TV: ROOT Sports RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes</p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 45:</h3>
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> (24-22) @ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (24-20)<br>
</h3>
<p><u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2013/1/28/3926408/nba-regular-season-houston-rockets-24-22-at-utah-jazz-24-20-game-45">#HOUatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/">The Dream Shake</a></u> -- <u>Rockets vs Jazz coverage</u></p>
<p><i>Walk like a Nigerian.</i></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>The Basics:</h4>
<p>Houston went on a 5 game win streak, then lost 7, and now has come back to win 3 of their last 4. They're #8 in the west, and are powered by a fact pace attack -- that has them sitting 1 game behind us in the standings. They are 3-7 in their last 10. The opposite would be going 7-3 in their last 10, which is exactly what we've done. We're 15-4 at home, they're 9-14 on the road. And we've played twice already this season.</p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>The always amazing Media Notes produced by the Utah Jazz:</h4>
<p><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4GUxx6hfuUabHB1MllCOEJpZjA/preview" height="480" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
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<h4>History:</h4>
<p>The Jazz are 97 - 80 against the Rockets in our franchise history. We're a dominating 61-27 in Utah. We've played twice this season, and ALREADY beat them once.</p>
<ul>
<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201211190UTA.html">Nov 19th, 2012: HOU 91 @ UTA 102 -- Win</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201212010HOU.html">Dec 1st, 2012: UTA 116 @ HOU 124 -- Loss</a></li>
</ul>
<p>If we go slow, we win. If we try to run around we lose. Seems simple.</p>
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<h4>Scouting, Stats, and Stereotypes:</h4>
<p><span>James Harden</span> is scoring a billion points a game (26.0 ppg), and doing a lot of other great things (rebounds, assists, foul shots, threes, steals, beard size). He's going to be a problem. <span>Randy Foye</span> has kinda kept him in check this season, so good on ya Randy. I don't expect him to lock him down three games in a row though. Beyond Harden, the Rockets are a balanced scoring team, with a great outside attack; and it's all launched from a superb defensive rebounding doctrine. They're the fastest team in the league by pace, and score the 2nd most points per game. Their defense is 27th though. That's the pace. They're a Top 10 team in Off Rtg, and 18th in Def Rtg. So that's not bad. We're a much slower team by comparison, and our attack is inside, almost exclusively inside. We're a bottom half of the league team in terms of pace, but we're still 11th in PPG, and 10th in Off Rtg. We're not so adept at defense, but when it counts we can play it.</p>
<p>Houston is great on the defensive glass, we're great on the offensive glass. They shoot threes, we don't. We're at home, where we tend to run a bit more. If we play their style of game it's in their favor.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><font color="white">X</font></p>
<p><font color="white">X</font></p>
<h4>Injury Report:</h4>
<h4>Rockets Injuries --</h4>
<p>No Injuries...</p>
<ul></ul>
<h4>Jazz Injuries --</h4>
<ul>
<li> <span>Mo Williams</span> (PG) OUT -- Mo is still out recovering from his right thumb surgery. He's going to miss a few more weeks for sure.</li>
<li>
<span>Gordon Hayward</span> (SG/SF) ??? -- There are conflicting reports about Gordon's availability for tonight, and conflicting reports about his injury. It's a right shoulder injury -- either right shoulder pain, or a right shoulder sprain. He sustained this injury against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Indiana Pacers</a>. He's either probable or doubtful. I'm sure we'll get an update on this later.</li>
<li> <span>Raja Bell</span> (SG) OUT -- Tax time -- Raja is on the case.<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<h4>Advantage --</h4>
<p>Down two starters, or no injuries? Clearly the Rockets have the advantage here.</p>
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<h4>The Game:</h4>
<p>This is a blood feud.</p>
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<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>Player Focus:</h4>
<p><span>Al Jefferson</span>. Al busted loose in Overtime against the Pacers and finished with 25 points. He needs to have another big game as he has scored 20+ points only once in his last four (after a good stretch of going 20+ in four straight games), and has only managed one double double in the last three. Al should be the best player on the floor when he's getting the ball where he's effective. Lin is a cultural icon, and Harden an Olympian -- but their best thing isn't better than Al's best thing. So we need to make sure we get Al doing what he does best.</p>
<p>If we do, we'll win. Period. Asik will pick up 2 quick fouls, and they don't have quality depth inside. They have a ton of face up bigs though (Patterson, and Morris all can hit threes). Also, if we get Asik in foul trouble, their defensive rebounding Kraken is out of the game -- making our best thing (offensive rebounds) all that easier to get.</p>
<p>Their guards get all the press. But Al should feast inside tonight if a) we can get him the ball where he's good, and b) he picks up some fouls on their bigs.</p>
<p><font color="white">X</font></p>
<p><font color="white">X</font></p>
<h4>X-Factors:</h4>
<p>It's all going to come down to second chance buckets here. The Rockets are the 4th best team in the NBA at DRB%. We're the 7th best team in the NBA at ORB%. They like to get defensive rebounds, then outlet, and get something in transition between superior ball handlers <span>Jeremy Lin</span> and James Harden, and great trailers in <span>Chandler Parsons</span>, <span>Carlos Delfino</span>, <span>Marcus Morris</span>, and even <span>Patrick Patterson</span> at this stage of the season. We like to get offensive rebounds, and pound the other team into submission with our size.</p>
<p>Maybe this should be a main point and not an X-Factor. A guess real x-factors will be three point shooter, Houston takes the most, makes the most, and is 12th best in the league at the deep ball. We've cooled off on them quite a but, but are still 9th best by percentage. Houston's three point attack is huge, as they end up with the best eFG% as a result of all their bombs.</p>
<p>Last X-Factor will be the benches. They have quality depth and so do we. So we'll see who wins these three key areas. I'm pretty sure the winner of them will win the game too.</p>
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<h4>Word from the Badguys:</h4>
<p>The @<u><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DreamShakeSBN">DreamShakeSBN </a></u>account and ours has been going at it this afternoon pretty well. Tell 'em how you feel, Jazz fans? (Also <u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/1/28/3922290/houston-rockets-vs-utah-jazz-game-preview">their preview is so predictable</a></u> in their comments section...)</p>
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<h4>As an aside:</h4>
<p>Remember when Hakeem Olajuwon traveled? Oh yeah, that was all the time.</p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>Fearless Prediction:</h4>
<p>Jazz win, why? Because Houston ain't got nothing on Utah, and the Rockets have nothing on the Jazz. They have the marketable players, but we're a team that plays great at home.</p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2013/1/28/3926436/nba-regular-season-houston-rockets-24-22-at-utah-jazz-24-20-gameAllThatAmar2013-01-28T16:37:31-07:002013-01-28T16:37:31-07:00Rockets @ Jazz -- Video Preview
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WBYfV6d90RCNNA7TMeFAUuIOEZs=/0x140:2673x1922/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7262019/20121119_ajl_ai4_321.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Game #45 • Energy Solution Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • January 28, 2013 • 7:00 p.m. (MT) • TV: ROOT Sports RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes</p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 45:</h3>
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> (24-22) @ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (24-20)<br>
</h3>
<p><u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2013/1/28/3926408/nba-regular-season-houston-rockets-24-22-at-utah-jazz-24-20-game-45">#HOUatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/">The Dream Shake</a></u> -- <u>Rockets vs Jazz coverage</u></p>
<p><i>Walk like a Nigerian.</i></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>
<u>Video Preview:</u><br>
</h4>
<p> </p>
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<p>Yup.</p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2013/1/28/3926382/nba-regular-season-houston-rockets-24-22-at-utah-jazz-24-20-game-45AllThatAmar