Houston Rockets – Utah Jazz: don’t get caught out
The Rockets host the Jazz for the third meeting this season. The aims couldn’t be more different — Houston needs this one like oxygen. Still, Utah can bite. They’ve got streaks of brilliance and moments of total chaos, so don’t write off a surprise.
Houston Rockets: must-win 
Since the All-Star break the Rockets have been a mixed bag. The win over the Hornets (105-101) hinted at progress. The Knicks game promised even more until Houston blew an 18-point lead in the fourth and left Madison Square Garden with a 106-108 loss.
Offense hasn’t clicked consistently, and Steven Adams’ absence hurts on the offensive glass. Houston still ranks top for second-chance boards, but that edge no longer papered over a middling scoring efficiency. Good news: Utah rolls into Texas missing three of its interior players, which should hand the Rockets a clear advantage inside. Still — don’t get sloppy. Every game now matters for playoff seeding.
INJURY REPORT : Steven Adams (OUT) – Jae’Sean Tate (OUT)
Utah Jazz: could the Markkanen–George combo spring a shock? 
Let’s be blunt: Utah’s largely playing out the string this season, with one eye on the draft lottery. But if Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George hit the floor together, the Jazz become a real headache. Earlier in the season Will Hardy’s team showed they can sting top teams — they beat the Spurs, Pistons and even the Rockets in Salt Lake City (133-125) back in December.
This team’s real strength is offense. When Markkanen and George are clicking, Utah can pour in points and match anyone. The missing bigs — Jaren Jackson Jr, Walker Kessler and Jusuf Nurkic — will be felt inside, especially against Houston’s length, but if the Jazz get hot from deep, anything’s possible.
INJURY REPORT : Jaren Jackson Jr (OUT) – Walker Kessler (OUT) – Jusuf Nurkic (OUT) – Keyonte George (questionable) – Lauri Markkanen (probable)
Projected starters
Houston Rockets : Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr, Alperen Sengun
Utah Jazz : Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Cody Williams, Lauri Markkanen, Kyle Filipowski
NBA Pick Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz
Over 225.5 points
If Houston haven’t found a rhythm since the break, this is the perfect spot to blow the cobwebs off. Utah concedes points — a lot of them. Opponents average 125.9 points per game against the Jazz, the worst mark in the league. With scorers like Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun on the floor, the totals should climb. Utah can keep up when the shots fall. All signs point to an uptempo, high-score game.
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