Rockets vs. Jazz Pre-Game 12/17/18

Rockets Hope Their Secret Winning Melody Tunes Out the Jazz

This is no guise. These guys are for real.  I’ll let you in on a little secret, one the Rockets already know.  This secret will soon allow ESPN, NBA TV, and the national media to take note.  The “GreenHouse Effect”, as fans are calling it, is the real deal.  The phrase refers to Gerald Green and Danuel House’s potent mixture of grit and teamwork off the bench.  The effect of having both players simultaneously on the floor for Houston has resulted in (so far) the NBA’s most potent lineup this season.  Tonight, the Rockets play host to the Utah Jazz. Another huge game as the roller coaster season continues.  But now, the season truly feels different.  It’s as if the Rockets were riding around at Six Flags, looking for excitement in a regular season full of parity on a historical level that no one saw coming.  The West was supposed to be good.  But this good?  Houston didn’t realize this campaign would be one of the most difficult to navigate in NBA history after the franchise’s record-setting season last year.  Houston’s already had 3 season’s worth’s of ups and downs.  The squad is finally sick of all the rollercoasters.  The Rockets are ready for lift-off. Utah’s already beaten Houston twice this season, but that was during the roller coaster portion of the year.  That ride has ended, before the Houstonian filled “GreenHouse” was in full effect.  This is the first time Houston faces an opponent for a third time this season.  This is a HUGE game for the Rockets, as they continue to dig themselves out of their early-season hole.  A win tonight would prevent Utah from gaining the tiebreaker, should the teams finish with the same record come playoff time.  Look for a Rockets team finding its groove to execute their secret on the Utah Jazz tonight.  Green and House have played 98 minutes together, a small sample size, yet they’re igniting Houston’s bench as it returns to where it belongs, with the NBA’s elite second units.  During this 3-game win streak, the Rockets have outscored opponents by 17 points per 100 possessions with the “GreenHouse” in effect.  The duo is combining for 24 points and 7 boards a game, as they reinvigorate a Houston bench that was once thought to be a lost cause.  Oh, and then there’s James Harden, who’s only coming off consecutive triple-doubles. Patience is a virtue. So is good music.  Sometimes, greatness takes time for its potential to become fully recognized.  The Rockets have finally found a melody the entire squad can groove to, and Houston isn’t stopping their tune for any Jazz. Utah comes into Houston tonight desperate for a win.  The Jazz have lost 3 of their last 4 games, and at 14-16, want to avoid falling into a deep hole in the packed Western Conference.  The Rockets haven’t been over .500 in 3 weeks. Now, Houston’s finally back to .500, determined to continue climbing up the standings.  The Rockets need to keep bodies on Utah’s big men, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert, to win the battle of the boards, a key stat for tonight’s contest.  Houston needs to contain Donovan Mitchell who struggled in his last game against Houston.  The young Jazz star is poised for a big night, as he usually plays his best ball against the Rockets.  The squad must keep the defensive focus and attention to detail on both ends of the floor.  Houston must limit the open looks Utah’s gunslinger from deep, Joe Ingles, seems to always find in Houston.  The squad has to clog any driving lanes that may open up for Ricky Rubio and Donovan Mitchell.  With the way things are starting to sound in H-Town, this should be no problem for the Rockets.  There are many possible formulas for success, especially considering the Championship-level talent Houston possesses.  The Rockets have finally pinpointed several areas, including the “GreenHouse Effect”, and are enacting these plays on the court.  They’re running as one, in-sync as a team, and have James Harden in full-on “Bearding” mode, proving he should be in the MVP discussion once again.  Houston’s going to refrain from letting any Jazz stop the squad’s winning anthem.  Rockets fans, it’s time for lift-off.

Toyota Center: Houston, Texas

Jersey Colors:

Utah Jazz (14-16): Yellow

Houston Rockets (14-14): Black

TV: 7 PM CT – NBA TV, ATTSportsnetSW