Rockets Seek First Win, Host Surprising Jazz
Familiar Foe, Different Faces. Louder than Usual. Measuring Stick.
The Rockets host the division rival Utah Jazz on Monday night, as the teams celebrate Filipino Heritage Night at Toyota Center. Jalen Green and Houston are still searching for their first win of this young campaign. Utah, meanwhile, has been an early season surprise. The Jazz are 3-0, and they’re coming off two tough overtime victories over playoff-bound teams in the West. With victories over the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Pelicans, Utah is showing a change of their core from the past few seasons hasn’t changed their play on the court, not yet. Donovan Mitchell left for Cleveland in the offseason, while Rudy Gobert departed to Minnesota. Those were Utah’s two best players. Now, Houston will have to shift their focus on guys like Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen.
Houston will be extra short-handed tonight as the Rockets are without Alperen Sengun due to an illness. It doesn’t appear to be anything serious, but the team’s exercising caution. This will give the rest of the guys fighting for playing time more space to prove their value.
Unlike Houston’s first three games, where they were the obvious underdog, the Rockets have a legitimate chance to snag their first win of the season tonight. Despite their record, the Jazz likely won’t be playoff-bound this year, and this young Houston team is starving to get its first win on the board. All of Utah’s games have gone down to the wire, while the Rockets have yet to participate in a nail-biter. That could all change tonight… buckle up for a manic Monday night at Toyota Center.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Utah Jazz (3-0): White
Houston Rockets (0-3): Red
Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass