Play It Again, James: Rockets Blast Jazz, 118-98, in Game 2 Victory
Dialed In. Tone-Setters. Normality.
“MVP! MVP! MVP!” The normal chants were heard at Toyota Center on Wednesday night, as James Harden and the Rockets pounded the Jazz for a 118-98 victory, and a 2-0 series edge. The Beard walked into the arena wearing a chain dedicated to his childhood friend, Nipsey Hussle, who was tragically killed weeks ago. “This journey I’m on is for him”, said Harden post-game. The marathon superhuman season continued for the Beard in Game 2. Harden finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, his third career playoff triple-double. Chris Paul chipped in with 17 points, and Eric Gordon was solid, yet again. EG has been on a consistency tear since the All-Star break. Splash Gordon had 16 points, but it’s his consistency on both ends of the court that make the biggest difference for Houston. EG is one of the most underrated defensive players in basketball. Joe Ingles, who destroyed Houston in Game 2 last year, has been a non-factor in this series. A lot of that credit goes to Eric Gordon, who’s also done a great job keeping Donovan Mitchell in check. Combined with Gordon’s ease to score the ball, there’s no question why EG is the third playmaker on the team, behind the superstar backcourt.
The entire squad locked in defensively. Austin Rivers was brilliant in limited minutes. P.J. Tucker and Danuel House were their usual aggressive selves. Tucker’s shooting has been a welcome sight to start the series. Tucker had 16 points, and made 4 of his 7 three-point attempts. Combined with EG, they’ve shot over 50% from deep over the first two games. Tucker was a streaky shooter in the regular season. When P.J. is knocking down his three’s, Houston looks like an invincible machine on the court. Clint Capela was formidable in the paint, with 10 boards and 3 blocks. Capela’s style of play has kept Rudy Gobert from contributing on the defensive end for Utah. If Gobert leaves Capela to help on D, either Harden or Paul finds the Big Swiss for an open dunk.
What a difference one game makes. Looking at this season, compared to last year, these Rockets are locked in on a completely different level. Just like in this series, last season Houston crushed Utah in Game 1. However, they lost Game 2 last season, as the squad didn’t approach the game with the same intensity and focus. This season, focus isn’t the issue. These Rockets are completely dialed in, and they proved that with their blowout victory over the Jazz. Houston is setting the tone for the series, and the rest of the playoffs. What many expected to be a long first round may end up shorter than most predicted.
Utah has never been in this fight. Granted, it’s still early, and they say a series never starts until the home team loses. But, the Rockets have completely dominated the Jazz in every fashion throughout the first two games. Houston aims to bring this trend to Utah, where, they can officially say: the series has started. On the MVP chants, Harden said at the podium after the game, “those chants… they’re pretty normal.” The chorus from the crowd has become customary during home games. Just don’t take it for granted, Houston. This season James Harden and the Rockets are having… is anything but normal.