Since losing to Oklahoma City almost two weeks ago, the Rockets have won five of their next six games and went 5-1 ATS during that stretch.
Their latest win came in on Sunday at Portland, where Houston put together a total of 130 points, including 17 three-pointers made, to dispatch the reeling Trail Blazers.
Taking threes has been the ultimate weapon for the Rockets, who, just a few days ago, set an NBA-record of 50 three-point attempts against Sacramento. They followed that up with 36 three-point tries in the game with Portland.
James Harden has been Mr. Everything for Houston, averaging nearly 30 points and at least 12 assists per game. But the Rockets offense will probably be forced out of its comfort zone against the league’s No. 1 defensive team in the Jazz, who are giving up just 92.1 points per game, as well as 23.5 points (2nd-fewest) from beyond the arc.
Center Clint Capela has made a living inside the paint, collecting 16.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his last seven games.
Utah’s singing to the tune of a three-game winning streak (3-0 ATS) right now, which includes a pair of back-to-back victories versus Atlanta and at Minnesota.
During this run, the Jazz are allowing just 84.6 points on average while the offense has been torching the scoreboard with exactly 105.0 points per game. Savvy wingman Gordon Hayward has been on a scoring spree, racking up 22 or more points in each of the last four games.
George Hill has been on a tear as well, averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in three games since returning from a thumb injury that forced him to miss eight games.
The Jazz have a tough defensive assignment for tonight’s home game with Houston, which is led by James Harden, the league’s current leader in assists (12.2 APG) and fourth-best scorer (28.9 PPG). He also dished out 10 dimes to go along with a game-high 31 points to carry the Rockets to victory, 111-102, in the first meeting with Utah on Nov. 19.
