Where to watch
Catch the game live tomorrow at 10:00 AM on NBA TV Philippines (available via Smart GigaPlay app).
Head-to-head matchups
Oct. 29, 2021: Jazz 122, Rockets 91
Jan. 20, 2022: Rockets 116, Jazz 111
What’s going on with the Houston Rockets?
The Houston Rockets have been struggling all season long as they continue to freefall towards the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference. Houston, which is currently on a four-game losing streak, owns a 15-40 record.
There have been moments of individual brilliance. In the team’s loss to the Toronto Raptors, promising third-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. scored a career-high 30 points, albeit in a 139-120 loss.
Scoring has hardly been an issue for the Rockets; it’s their inability to get stops that has been the biggest issue. In the team’s four-game losing streak, they gave up 125 points per contest.
What’s going on with the Utah Jazz?
The Utah Jazz have weathered the storm despite the absence of All-Star Rudy Gobert, as Hassan Whiteside and Udoka Azubuike have stepped up to protect the paint. As a result, the Jazz are on a five-game winning streak and in fourth in the Western Conference.
Despite losing Joe Ingles, the Jazz continue to persevere. Trading the veteran to New Orleans definitely hurt but acquiring promising youngster Nickeil Alexander-Walker and veteran Juancho Hernangomez will definitely boost the team in the long run.
But a lot of the Jazz’s future success will continue to hinge on the play of Donovan Mitchell. Spida’s 24 points, seven rebounds, and three steals were the difference-maker in the squad’s 114-99 win over the Orlando Magic.
Storyline to watch out for
Pinoy pride will definitely be in full force at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah as Filipino-Americans Jordan Clarkson and rookie Jalen Green will go head to head again. The two teams have split the season series so far with the Rockets winning 116-111, but that was when the Jazz were still finding their way. This match figures to be a different beast - the Jazz are in a groove, while the Rockets are a bit out of tune.
The Rockets will need to find a way to turn up the defensive intensity against one of the most disciplined and efficient offenses in the league. Mitchell has stepped up as a playmaker and has been able to provide easy opportunities for the battalion of bigs helping cover for Gobert’s absence. If the Rockets can find a way to limit the Jazz’s All-Star guard, this should make for a pretty entertaining game. And Clarkson versus Green round 3 should be a good side story as well.
