Game ID: 22301072
Houston Rockets @ Utah Jazz
Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:30 PM ET
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
UTA 23 24 25 28 100HOU 13 28 28 32 101
HOU @ UTA ScoutingHOU @ UTA Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
UTA availability going into 3/21 · back-to-backOUT Clarkson missed 4 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 5 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Markkanen back 3/18 after 6, 31 min since (93% of 33)
BACK Hendricks back 3/15 after 3, 26 min since (122% of 21)
BACK Potter back 3/12 after 38, 14 min since (119% of 12)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/16 after 2, 11 min since (96% of 11)
BACK Preston back 3/15 after 12, 10 min since (95% of 10)
NEW Sexton 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 4
UTA availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Clarkson missed 5 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 6 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Markkanen back 3/18 after 6, 33 min since (101% of 33)
BACK Hendricks back 3/15 after 3, 27 min since (124% of 21)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/16 after 2, 14 min since (124% of 11)
BACK Preston back 3/15 after 12, 10 min since (95% of 10)
NEW Sexton 27 to 32 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Clarkson missed 6 since 3/15, returns tonight: 33 min (108% of 31)
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 7 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 2 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Preston missed 2 since 3/21, out tonight
BACK Markkanen back 3/18 after 6, 33 min since (101% of 33)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/16 after 2, 14 min since (124% of 11)
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 28 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Lofton Jr. missed 8 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 3 since 3/21, returns tonight: 4 min (20% of 20)
OUT Preston missed 3 since 3/21, out tonight
BACK Markkanen back 3/18 after 6, 33 min since (101% of 33)
BACK Clarkson back 3/25 after 6, 33 min since (108% of 31)
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 27 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Lofton Jr. missed 9 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Dunn missed 2 since 3/25, returns tonight: 22 min (114% of 19)
OUT Preston missed 4 since 3/21, out tonight
BACK Clarkson back 3/25 after 6, 33 min since (108% of 31)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 3/27 after 3, 4 min since (20% of 20)
NEW George 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 28 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Clarkson missed 2 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 10 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Preston missed 5 since 3/21, out tonight
BACK Horton-Tucker back 3/27 after 3, 4 min since (20% of 20)
BACK Dunn back 3/29 after 2, 22 min since (114% of 19)
NEW George 27 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 30 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Clarkson missed 3 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 11 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 2 since 3/29, returns tonight: 13 min (64% of 20)
OUT Preston missed 6 since 3/21, out tonight
BACK Dunn back 3/29 after 2, 24 min since (129% of 19)
NEW George 27 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 30 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 4/05 · 2 days' restOUT Clarkson missed 4 since 3/27, not on tonight's roster
OUT Collins missed 2 since 3/31, not on tonight's roster
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 12 since 3/12, returns tonight: 12 min (53% of 23)
OUT Preston missed 7 since 3/21, returns tonight: 17 min (166% of 10)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 3/27 after 3, 8 min since (42% of 20)
BACK Dunn back 3/29 after 2, 24 min since (127% of 19)
NEW George 27 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Sensabaugh 18 to 24 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 4/07 · 1 day's restBACK Lofton Jr. back 4/05 after 12, 12 min since (53% of 23)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 3/27 after 3, 14 min since (72% of 20)
BACK Dunn back 3/29 after 2, 24 min since (126% of 19)
BACK Preston back 4/05 after 7, 17 min since (166% of 10)
NEW George 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Juzang 19 to 26 min over the last 3
NEW Yurtseven 11 to 17 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 4 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Je. Green back 3/10 after 2, 16 min since (97% of 17)
BACK Tate back 3/12 after 2, 14 min since (86% of 16)
NEW Landale 14 to 21 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 5 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Tate back 3/12 after 2, 12 min since (73% of 16)
NEW Landale 14 to 23 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 6 since 3/12, out tonight
NEW Thompson 22 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Landale 14 to 22 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 7 since 3/12, out tonight
NEW Thompson 22 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Je. Green 17 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Landale 14 to 23 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 8 since 3/12, out tonight
NEW Ja. Green 32 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Thompson 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Landale 14 to 23 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 9 since 3/12, returns tonight: 22 min (118% of 19)
NEW Ja. Green 32 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Thompson 22 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Je. Green 17 to 22 min over the last 5
NEW Landale 14 to 24 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restBACK Whitmore back 3/31 after 9, 22 min since (118% of 19)
NEW Ja. Green 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Thompson 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Landale 14 to 23 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 4/04 · 1 day's restBACK Whitmore back 3/31 after 9, 23 min since (121% of 19)
NEW Ja. Green 32 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Thompson 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Landale 14 to 23 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 4/05 · back-to-backBACK Whitmore back 3/31 after 9, 23 min since (122% of 19)
NEW Ja. Green 32 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Thompson 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Landale 14 to 20 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 29 from three, 23 free throws a game; Markkanen at 27 and Sexton at 22 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Lofton Jr. (9 straight), Dunn (2 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 35 and Thompson at 16 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Whitmore (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Houston at 39 percent from three to Utah's 29 and the defense, Houston allowing 114 a night to Utah's 122. Call it Houston 121, Utah 114.
3/21 @ DAL 97-113 — UTA notes
UTA lost 97-113. UTA shot 46% (38 of 83) to DAL's 50%, 4 of 30 from three, and got to the line 19 times to DAL's 28. UTA turned it over 18 times to DAL's 13, and DAL turned those into 12 steals. Markkanen led with 21 (6 of 20, 1 of 9 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Sexton added 20, George 18. Q1 was theirs, 27-26, but the other 3 periods went 87-70 against them. Sexton's -21 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/23 @ HOU 119-147 — UTA notes
UTA lost 119-147. UTA shot 45% (40 of 89) to HOU's 56%, 11 of 37 from three, and went to the line 33 times to HOU's 14 — 28 points from the stripe to their 12. Collins led with 25 (7 of 9, 9 of 10 at the line); Sexton added 20, Sensabaugh 16. Q4 was theirs, 28-25, the deficit cut from 31 to 28, but the other 3 periods went 122-91 against them. George's -30 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/25 vs DAL 105-115 — UTA notes
UTA lost 105-115. UTA shot 43% (37 of 87) to DAL's 48%, 13 of 39 from three. UTA turned it over 12 times to DAL's 6, and DAL turned those into 9 steals. Markkanen led with 34 (10 of 19, 6 of 9 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Collins added 21, Sexton 20. Q1 was theirs, 41-37, but the other 3 periods went 78-64 against them. Sexton's -15 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/27 vs SAS 111-118 — UTA notes
UTA lost 111-118. UTA shot 47% (39 of 83) to SAS's 51%, 13 of 35 from three. Sexton led with 26 (11 of 20, 2 of 6 from three); Markkanen added 25, J. Collins 18. Q2 was theirs, 33-30, the deficit cut from 14 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 88-78 against them. Sensabaugh's -8 in 13 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/29 vs HOU 100-101 — UTA notes
UTA lost 100-101. UTA shot 46% (37 of 80) to HOU's 38%, 8 of 31 from three, and got to the line 19 times to HOU's 28. UTA turned it over 20 times to HOU's 10, and HOU turned those into 10 steals. Collins led with 30 (10 of 14, 4 of 5 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Sexton added 29, Juzang 12. Q1 was theirs, 23-13, but the other 3 periods went 88-77 against them. They led by as many as 13. Sensabaugh's -16 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/31 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 110, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Fox at 24 and Murray at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Lyles (9 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 119, shooting 45 percent and 28 from three, 23 free throws a game; Markkanen at 27 and Collins at 24 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Clarkson (2 straight), Lofton Jr. (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Utah giving it away 16 times a game to Sacramento's 10 and the arc, Sacramento at 35 percent from three to Utah's 28. Call it Sacramento 116, Utah 111.
4/02 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 122, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Collins at 24 and Sexton at 23 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Clarkson (3 straight), Lofton Jr. (11 straight), Horton-Tucker (2 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 16 free throws a game; Eva. Mobley at 17 and Allen at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Wade (12 straight). One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the line, where Utah takes 25 free throws a game to Cleveland's 16 and the arc, Cleveland at 39 percent from three to Utah's 33. Call it Utah 114, Cleveland 113, Cleveland keeping it close.
4/05 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; George at 24 and Leonard at 23 a game. Without Leonard (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 118, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sexton at 23 and Collins at 23 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Clarkson (4 straight), Collins (2 straight), Lofton Jr. (12 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the turnovers, Utah giving it away 17 times a game to the Clippers' 10 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 106 a night to Utah's 118. Call it the Clippers 116, Utah 110.
4/07 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 106, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 14 free throws a game; Curry at 25 and Thompson at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Kuminga (6 straight), Šarić (9 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Hendricks at 11 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-6 a night and Utah minus-5 and the defense, Golden State allowing 106 a night to Utah's 121. Call it Golden State 120, Utah 110, Golden State by 10.
3/21 vs CHI 127-117 — HOU notes
HOU won 127-117. HOU shot 51% (47 of 93) to CHI's 45%, 17 of 45 from three. J. Green led with 26 (10 of 22, 4 of 12 from three); Brooks added 23, Landale 17. The hinge was Q1, 42-28: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 19. Je. Green was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
3/23 vs UTA 147-119 — HOU notes
HOU won 147-119. HOU shot 56% (54 of 97) to UTA's 45%, 27 of 49 from three, and got to the line 14 times to UTA's 33. Ja. Green led with 41 (15 of 22, 7 of 11 from three); VanVleet added 34, Je. Green 21. The hinge was Q1, 47-21: from level to 26 ahead, and the lead reached 35. Ja. Green was the night's best plus/minus at +31.
3/25 vs POR 110-92 — HOU notes
HOU won 110-92. HOU shot 40% (37 of 93) to POR's 41%, 12 of 39 from three, and went to the line 25 times to POR's 15 — 24 points from the stripe to their 13. HOU turned it over 8 times to POR's 16. Ja. Green led with 27 (9 of 26, 4 of 12 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Landale added 17, VanVleet 15. The hinge was Q3, 33-20: HOU came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 9, and the lead reached 20. HOU trailed 47-51 at the half and won the second half 63-41. Landale was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
3/27 @ OKC 132-126 — HOU notes
HOU won 132-126 in 1 overtime. HOU shot 48% (50 of 104) to OKC's 49%, 15 of 43 from three. Ja. Green led with 37 (14 of 24, 7 of 11 from three); Thompson added 25, Brooks 20. The hinge was Q1, 28-17: from level to 11 ahead. HOU trailed 49-50 at the half and won the second half 83-76. Ja. Green was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
3/29 @ UTA 101-100 — HOU notes
HOU won 101-100. HOU shot 38% (35 of 91) to UTA's 46%, 13 of 42 from three, and went to the line 28 times to UTA's 19 — 18 points from the stripe to their 18. HOU turned it over 10 times to UTA's 20. J. Green led with 34 (11 of 24, 4 of 11 from three, 8 of 14 at the line); VanVleet added 22, Thompson 18. The hinge was Q2, 28-24: the deficit went from 10 to 6. HOU trailed 41-47 at the half and won the second half 60-53.
3/31 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 33 and VanVleet at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Whitmore (9 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 102, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Dončić at 27 and Irving at 25 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Green (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Dallas allowing 102 a night to Houston's 111. Call it Houston 115, Dallas 113, Dallas keeping it close.
4/02 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 100, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 19 and Conley at 17 a game. Without Towns (12 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 112, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 30 and VanVleet at 19 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 100 a night to Houston's 112. Call it Minnesota 113, Houston 108.
4/04 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 27 and Smith Jr. at 19 a game. One day's rest. Golden State comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 99, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 10 free throws a game; Curry at 21 and Thompson at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Kuminga (4 straight), Šarić (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Houston takes 22 free throws a game to Golden State's 10 and the glass, where Golden State has been plus-6 a night and Houston minus-2. Call it Golden State 112, Houston 111, Houston keeping it close.
4/05 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 119, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 24 and Smith Jr. at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 102, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Rozier at 24 and Adebayo at 19 a game. Without Herro (20 straight), Richardson (23 straight), Wright (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 102 a night to Houston's 119 and the glass, where Miami has been plus-3 a night and Houston minus-5. Call it Miami 113, Houston 110, Houston keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
UTABS B. Sensabaugh
CS C. Sexton
JC J. Collins
JJ J. Juzang
KD K. Dunn
KG K. George
MP M. Potter
TH T. Hendricks
WK W. Kessler
HOUAH A. Holiday
AT A. Thompson
DB D. Brooks
FV F. VanVleet
JG J. Green
JL J. Landale
JS J. Smith Jr.
JT J. Tate
JG Ja. Green
RB R. Bullock Jr.
UTA/HOU the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Jalen Green scores 34, leads Rockets to 11th straight win with 101-100 victory over Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY -- — Jalen Green scored 30 of his 34 points in the second half and had nine rebounds as the Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 101-100 on Friday night for their 11th straight win.
Fred VanVleet had 22 points, Amen Thompson added 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 14 points for the Rockets. Houston scored 27 points off 21 Utah turnovers and outscored the Jazz 25-12 in second-chance points.
Dominating the offensive glass and winning the turnover battle helped the Rockets offset a sluggish start and 38.5% shooting from the field.
“You don’t hang your head when it’s not going easy early,” Houston coach Ime Udoka said. “We were guarding well enough, and we knew the worm would turn as far as the shooting.”
John Collins led Utah with 30 points and 11 rebounds. Collin Sexton added 29 points for the Jazz, who lost their eighth straight game. Kris Dunn finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Utah had chances to snap its skid, but ultimately couldn’t overcome multiple careless possessions at critical junctures.
“They got 11 more shots than we did, plus shooting nine more free throws than we did, so we lost the possession battle by a pretty big number tonight,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. "We’ve got to continue to take care of the ball.”
The Rockets trailed the entire first half but swung momentum their way during a third-quarter scoring outburst from Green.
Green had five of Houston’s first six baskets of the second half to power a 20-7 run that put the Rockets up 61-54 midway through the third quarter. He scored 20 of his team’s 28 points in the quarter.
“We came out running plays for me at the beginning of the third,” Green said. “I was just taking what the defense gives me and shots were falling.”
Utah surged back in front behind a 16-2 run. Sexton fueled the run with a 360-degree dunk and punctuated it with a finger-roll layup that put the Jazz up 74-69.
Houston pulled ahead for good when Green tipped in a layup and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers as part of a 14-3 run. Green’s second 3 gave the Rockets a 92-85 lead with 3:45 left.
Utah cut the deficit to one with 1:21 remaining on a turnaround jumper from Johnny Juzang . VanVleet banked in a pullup jumper and Green hit two free throws in the final 15 seconds to seal the victory.
Green has finished with 30 or more points five times in his last eight games.
“He’s been carrying us pretty much since the All-Star break,” VanVleet said. “We trust him and want to keep giving him the ball in his spots and letting him create. He can get hot.”
Houston sputtered to a season-low 13 points in the first quarter while shooting just 21% from the field over that stretch.
Collins and Sexton combined for six baskets and 21 of Utah’s first 23 points to help the Jazz overcome an 0-of-10 start from 3-point range and take advantage of the Rockets’ early struggles. Their production helped Utah carry a 23-13 lead into the second quarter.
Utah led by 13 points in the first half, going up 39-26 on a pair of 3-pointers from Collins. The Rockets closed the gap before halftime when Smith capped a string of three consecutive Houston baskets with a dunk to make it 43-39.
“It was a little rough around the edges with some attention to detail, but I thought we competed for 48 minutes,” Collins said.