The Houston Rockets will officially face off with the Utah Jazz in round one of the playoffs starting on April 14.
This is a rematch of the 2018 playoffs when the Rockets knocked off the Jazz, 4-1, in the Western Conference Semifinals. The series was much more competitive in reality than it was on paper and the Jazz even took Game 2 in Houston. So, expect more of the same in this opening round series.
In that series, James Harden averaged 28 points, 7.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds, and he upped his game against Utah this season, too — torching the Jazz for 35 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor.
The Jazz have a multitude of defenders to throw at Harden, like Joe Ingles, Donovan Mitchell and even a guy like Jae Crowder off the bench. Crowder appeared to have received some help from former Rockets and now Clippers guard Patrick Beverley in their regular-season finale on Wednesday.
This series will be knock-down, drag-out, and the Jazz will make life tough on Harden. But if this regular season is any indication, Harden should be able to break through.
The Rockets have some unfinished business and they’re a confident group heading into this postseason. After finishing one win away from the NBA Finals last season, thy will look to finish the job this time around.
Game 1 of the series tips off at 8:30 p.m. CST from the Toyota Center on April 14.
