Utah Jazz Look For Bounce Back Win Against Houston Rockets
Oct 26, 2022, 1:51 PM
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz will look to avenge their first loss of the season when they host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night in Salt Lake City.
The Jazz fell to the Rockets on Monday night, 114-108, after a surprising 3-0 start to the season.
The Rockets meanwhile are looking to capitalize on their momentum after earning their first victory of the year over the Jazz.
Jazz Lose Offensive Identity Against Houston
The Jazz saw season lows in several important categories on the offensive end against the Rockets in Monday’s loss.
The team’s 11 made threes, nine free throws, and 23 assists were all their lowest marks of the new season, while their 20 turnovers marked a new high.
No Jazz player broke the 20 point scoring mark as the team failed to score at least 120 points for the first time during the season.
Lauri Markkanen had his worst game in a Jazz uniform shooting 7-19 from the floor and 0-6 from the three-point line while scoring just 14 points.
Lauri Markkanen went cold as the @utahjazz dropped their first game of the season to the @rockets.
Plus, the defense had its worst outing of the year, and Collin Sexton's minutes continue to drop.#TakeNote https://t.co/e7XHKp9eF4
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 25, 2022
The odds were against the Jazz who were playing in the final game of a three-game road trip, on the second night of a back-to-back, and the third game in four nights.
The team now returns home for their first home game since the season opener when they stunned the Denver Nuggets with a 123-102 victory in regulation.
Rockets Young Trio Dominates Utah
While the Jazz struggled the Rockets enjoyed their most well-rounded offensive effort of the season.
Three Rockets players scored at least 21 points led by wing Kevin Porter Jr. who finished with 26 points. Second-year guard Jalen Green added 25 while rookie Jabari Smith scored a career-high 21.
𝗪𝗢𝗪 pic.twitter.com/eNCjzm8GIB
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 25, 2022
Smith reunited with former Auburn teammate and Jazz rookie Walker Kessler who had his toughest outing of the season to date.
Kessler went scoreless in eight minutes of the bench while turning the ball over twice and committing four fouls.
Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets Broadcast
The Jazz and Rockets will tip off at 7 pm MT in Salt Lake City. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. The game will also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.