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Houston Rockets: Top 5 must-watch match ups for the 2018-19 season

By Brian K. Patterson

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets talk during a timeout in the second half during Game Five of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center on April 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets talk during a timeout in the second half during Game Five of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center on April 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Dec. 6th: Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz

Houston Rockets fans — you probably thought I was talking about the Golden State Warriors, right?  Nope, I’m talking about the Utah Jazz who is just about as tough as they come in terms of playing hard-nosed defense and giving it every thing they have out on the court.

The Jazz actually made the Houston Rockets sweat just a tad in the Western Conference Semis and had Donovan Mitchell as well as Ricky Rubio not gotten hurt late in the series, they would’ve seriously been able to challenge this team.

Of course, the Houston Rockets are far more superior than the Jazz but with the length of Rudy Gobert, the undeniable leadership imposed by reigning Rookie of the Year in Mitchell as well as superior ball-handler in Rubio make this team tough to stop offensively as well as defensively.

For seasons on end, the offense for this team was quite putrid but with all the weapons they have to boot, including forward Joe Ingles — who is the enforcer/pest — for their team, I think the Houston Rockets facing them on the road will be a tough test.  The Jazz have jumped from averaging 103.1 points per 100 in 2015-16 to averaging 106.2 points per 100 in 2017-18.  That’s a jump from 17th to 15th respectively when ranked among their competition.  Derrick Favors as well as the surprisingly effective Royce O’Neal will be returning to the roster as well.

The Jazz also selected Grayson Allen, the gritty, mouthy, tough-as-nails Duke forward with the 21st pick of this year’s draft.  He’ll be a perfect add for Quin Snyder’s no-holds-barred defensive mindset that was 2nd in efficiency in 2017-18, allowing 101.6 points per 100 possessions.  It’ll be interesting to see how much of a role he’ll have by the time this early December game rolls around.

Why did I pick this game?  This will be the Houston Rockets first stop in Salt Lake City this season and with as brutal and loyal their home crowd is, there’s no doubt that’ll be a factor in trying to win that game.  I fully expect the Jazz to be a Top 5 seed once again this year and I’m really starting to like us match up, dating back to the days when the John Stockton and Karl Malone ruled the Crossroads of the West.

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