Rockets Aim to Rebound in Houston, Finish Jazz in Game 5
Friendly Confines. Box Out, and Advance. Taking Care of Business.
“Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it’s contained”, Donald Sutherland decries as President Snow in The Hunger Games. In Game 4, the Rockets gave the Jazz a spark of hope. Houston relinquished their lead entering the fourth quarter of the previous game. In the final frame, the Rockets missed 13 consecutive three’s, with Donovan Mitchell outscoring Houston by himself, en route to a 107-91 Jazz victory, and the reason we have a Game 5 tonight in Houston. In a series the Rockets are expected to close out on Wednesday, the Jazz enter Game 5 riding a spark of hope, courtesy of their victory in Game 4.
Meanwhile, Houston returns home, intent on ending Utah’s season. The Rockets need all the rest and time they can get to prepare for the Warriors, Houston’s next round opponent (unless the impossible happens). A return to the friendly confines should bode well for James Harden and company. In a short sample size, Houston is 2-0 this series at home, with 26 being their average margin of victory. The Rockets have crushed the Jazz in Clutch City, and they’ll look for a repeat performance at Toyota Center tonight. The last thing Houston wants is another trip back to Utah, where the Rockets are 1-1, with their sole victory coming by 3 points. It’s obvious Houston needs to take advantage of home-court and finish this series in Game 5. If the Jazz win and force a Game 6 back in Utah, Houston might have a problem.
Game 4 exposed Houston’s biggest weakness: defensive rebounding. The Rockets were mauled on the glass, and gave up 17 second-chance points to the Jazz, in a game Houston lost by 16. Meanwhile, the Rockets only managed to garner 3 second-chance points themselves in Game 4. Houston needs to do a better job rebounding as a team, and getting to the loose ball in Game 5. Playing at home should inspire the squad to exert more force in the paint, and improve on the boards. The Rockets need to communicate defensively to put bodies on Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors, the Utah tandem giving Houston fits on the glass. Hopefully, Clint Capela will get better soon. The Rockets’ big man has been dealing with two virus’ since this series began, and his play has been notably affected. Houston needs their star center to get well for the next round. For now, the squad has enough grit to get the job done at home, without Capela at full-strength.
It’s gotten to the point where the Rockets need to finally take care of business, and advance past the Jazz into the next round. Houston is playing in front of their fans, and the Rockets have been stellar at home all season, minus the first four games. Including the playoffs, Houston is 33-6 at Toyota Center after starting the season an abysmal 0-4 at home. All signs point to the Rockets avoiding any sort of Game 4-style letdown that would lengthen this first round matchup. It’s a must-win game for Utah. Their season is over with a loss tonight. However, the Rockets can’t afford to lose this game, and extend the series. Especially if they want the best possible chance to dethrone the Warriors in the next round. This game isn’t a must-win for Houston, but the Rockets have to play with the mindset and sense of urgency that it is, in order to finish the series tonight. A win by Utah would give the Jazz a lot of hope, to go with even more confidence and momentum. Game 6 would be back in Salt Lake City, where the Jazz have been mano-a-mano with Houston over 2 games. And anything can happen in a Game 7. The Rockets need to contain the spark of hope Utah brings into Game 5. It’s time to put the Jazz’ crescendo to rest for the season. If the Rockets play with their usual hunger, Houston will be just fine.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Utah Jazz (1-3): White
Houston Rockets (3-1): “Earned” Crimson Red
TV: 7 PM CT – TNT, ATT Sportsnet SW