The Utah Jazz were supposed to be a tough first-round challenge for the Houston Rockets, but that hasn’t been the case so far. Houston has won the first three games of the series and will be looking for the sweep in Game 4. Utah is never an easy place to win for an opposing team, but the Rockets were able to pull it off in Game 3.
Houston blew out the Jazz in the first two games of the series, but Utah responded in a big way in Game 3. The Jazz led for much of the game before eventually falling by a score of 104-101. Utah is a terrific defensive team, but the Rockets are one of the top offensive teams in the league. Houston is a -3.5 point favorite over the Utah Jazz in Game 4 of the series.
Jazz Just Can’t Score
The Utah Jazz averaged nearly 112 points per game during the regular season, but they haven’t been able to find their offense so far in this series. Utah is shooting just 25 percent from the three-point line as a team, and that is a big part of their offense. Their defense has also been a huge letdown in this series. Utah allowed just 106.5 points per game this season but has been torched by the Rockets offense.
Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell is averaging more than 21 points per game in the first three games, but he needs some help from his teammates. Rudy Gobert has chipped in with 14.3 points per game, but the Jazz can’t get anything from their shooters. Utah is averaging just over 96 points per game, and that won’t get it done against a great team like the Rockets.
Rockets Pick Up Harden in Game 3
Reigning MVP James Harden had the worst shooting night of his entire career in Game 3, but the Rockets were able to pick him up. Harden missed his first 15 attempts from the field but ended up by scoring 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter. Houston averaged 114 points per game during the regular season, and they are a terrific shooting team. The Rockets hope that Harden is better in Game 4, but it might not matter.
Houston comes into Game 4 shooting 37 percent from the three-point line, and they are making close to 16 threes a game. Chris Paul and Eric Gordon have combined for more than 31 points per game and are capable of picking up the slack if Harden is off. The Rockets have also been impressive on the defensive end of the floor, averaging 8.3 steals and 6.3 blocks per game.
Houston Moves On With Sweep
The Utah Jazz just don’t have enough talent to knock off the Rockets in this series. Utah can’t score, and they can’t find a way to keep the Rockets from making a ton of shots. Houston has its sights set on a rematch with the Golden State Warriors in round two, and they are going to finish this series off with a sweet. Bet the Houston Rockets -3.5 over the Utah Jazz in Game 4.
