8:10 pm
December 17

Jazz @ Rockets

Who will WIN this matchup?

Utah Jazz (14-16)

@ Houston Rockets (14-14)

 

Current odds:

Utah Jazz: (+170)

Houston Rockets: (-200)

 

• The line for this game is Rockets by 5 points.

• The Houston Rockets are hitting their stride during a three-game winning streak with James Harden in triple-double, MVP form. Harden will try to guide the Rockets to a fourth consecutive triumph when they host the Utah Jazz on Monday. Harden scored 29 points in a win over Portland on Tuesday to begin the winning streak and kicked it up a notch on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers, when he collected 50 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a 126-111 triumph. The reigning MVP was at it again on Saturday at Memphis, filling up the boxscore with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as Houston fought off the Grizzlies 105-97 to move back to .500 at 14-14.

• The Jazz are trying to get their own winning streak off the ground but dropped three of their last four games, including a 96-89 setback to the Orlando Magic in Mexico City on Saturday, and are struggling to find consistency on offense.

• Utah was even further above sea level than usual while playing in Mexico City and shot 31.5 percent from the floor, including 7-of-29 from 3-point range in the loss. “We absolutely felt it,” power forward Derrick Favors told reporters of the altitude. “It could have affected our shooting, you never know, but we don’t want to use that as an excuse.” Center Rudy Gobert was held to six points on 2-of-6 shooting on Saturday and was held below his season average (14.3 points) in each of the last five games.

• Houston is more than just Harden and got a big boost on the inside Saturday from center Clint Capela, who scored 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting and added 10 rebounds. Capela’s production on the inside is helping the Rockets overcome some shooting woes on the outside from shooting guard Eric Gordon, who is battling through knee soreness and is 1-of-17 from 3-point range over the last three games. Gordon was held to a season-low four points on 2-of-11 shooting in 31 minutes during Saturday’s victory.

• Jazz PG Raul Neto (thigh) sat out the last two games and is questionable for Monday.

• Rockets SG Gerald Green is 9-of-11 from 3-point range over the last three contests.

• Utah took each of the first two meetings this season, including a 100-89 win at Houston on Oct. 24.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Houston Rockets
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