The Rockets failed to repeat their winning ways versus the Jazz in a 135-101 blowout on Monday night at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. Houston upset Utah the last time they visited in mid-January, but the hosts were without the services of superstar shooting guard Donovan Mitchell.
Things looked a little different this time around, as Mitchell controlled the game from start to finish. He scored an efficient 15 points in each half, which resulted in a game-high 30 during a commanding victory.
One aspect of the game that Mitchell did not overlook as his team won its sixth consecutive game was the Rockets’ young talent, particularly the starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green.
Mitchell, 25, offered some excellent advice for the tandem as they continue to grow together through the Rockets rebuild:
I talked to both Kev (Kevin Porter Jr.) and Jalen (Green). I have been knowing Kevin a little longer than Jalen. I have never been on a team that has lost as much, but I said to them, ‘Don’t build losing habits.’ Obviously, that comes from the coach as well, but at times it can be like, ‘Here we go again,’ because you have a rough record.
So, continue to find ways to stay engaged, find your purpose, find the motivation to keep on working on stuff. Watch the film and find ways to get better. Those two are extremely talented, and as they get better, the team will get better.
Utah Jazz superstar Donovan Mitchell offered some advice to the young backcourt for the Houston Rockets:
“Those two are extremely talented and as they get better, the team will get better.”#Rockets #LightTheFuse #Sarge pic.twitter.com/2mAKXdRQFR— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) February 15, 2022
The 2018 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection also elaborated on how the Rockets should bounce back to the winning ways they had in the past when he faced them twice in the playoffs back in 2018 and 2019. In both cases, Houston advanced with a 4-1 series victory.
“They have some good pieces and a great coach over there in coach Silas, and they can go get it,” Mitchell said.
“Now it’s a matter of finding ways to form winning habits, and that is tough to learn at a young age when you are not necessarily winning,” he added. “You don’t know where that comes from. So, you have to pick the brains of vets. Those two kids are really talented.”
Houston now travels to Phoenix to take on the Suns Wednesday in the second game of a three-game road trip heading into the All-Star break.
