Utah Jazz vs Houstaon Rockets

Early on Sunday, the Utah Jazz will play the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center. The Rockets are 35-21 and in fourth place in the Western Conference, while the Jazz are 13-42 and only trailed by the New Orleans Pelicans.

The only team with a worse record than the Jazz this season is the Washington Wizards, who have a 6–20 home record. However, they have defeated the Magic, Warriors, and Lakers in three of their previous six games.

They lost by a single point against the Pacers and in overtime against the Clippers. The Thunder crushed them yesterday night, but they haven't played as poorly lately as their odds would indicate.

The Rockets, who finished their home stand with a 3-1 record, come after defeating Minnesota yesterday night. However, lately, the route has been considerably different, with difficulties in achieving achievements.

The Rockets had suffered five straight away losses from Texas before traveling to Utah. All of them played for teams that are better than the Jazz, but it will give the home crowd some optimism for a win.

The Houston Rockets are poised to secure a victory against the struggling Utah Jazz in their upcoming matchup. The Rockets have shown significant improvement this season, particularly on the offensive end. Since the start of 2025, they've been averaging over 121 points per game, showcasing a potent offense led by the emerging star Jalen Green.

Green's recent performances, including a 42-point outburst against the Grizzlies, highlight his growing consistency and efficiency. The Rockets' offensive firepower is further bolstered by Alperen Sengun's double-double average and Fred VanVleet's steady leadership. This combination of youth and experience has made the Rockets a formidable opponent, especially against teams with defensive vulnerabilities.

In contrast, the Jazz have been struggling mightily this season with a 13-41 record. Their defense has been particularly problematic, allowing 23.7 points per game off turnovers, the highest in the league. The Jazz's turnover woes extend to their offense as well, averaging 18.4 turnovers per game, which is 1.5 more than any other team in the NBA. This glaring weakness plays right into the hands of the Rockets' improved defense, which ranks sixth in the league, allowing just 108.6 points per game.

With the Jazz's leading scorer Lauri Markkanen averaging only 19.6 points per game, the Rockets' defensive prowess, coupled with their surging offense, should prove too much for Utah to handle. The Rockets' combination of young talent like Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, along with veteran leadership from VanVleet, gives them a clear edge over a Jazz team that's on the wrong side of history in terms of turnover differential.

While the Utah Jazz have struggled this season with a 13-41 record, they have the potential to upset the Houston Rockets in their upcoming matchup. The Jazz, led by Lauri Markkanen's 19.6 points per game, have shown flashes of improvement recently, especially on their home court at the Delta Center.

Walker Kessler has emerged as a defensive anchor, averaging 11.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, which could pose problems for the Rockets' interior offense. Additionally, the development of young players like Keyonte George, who's averaging 6.0 assists per game, indicates that the Jazz are finding ways to create opportunities for their scorers. If the Jazz can limit their turnovers and capitalize on their home-court advantage, they might be able to challenge the Rockets, despite their overall struggles this season.

The Rockets, despite being impressive for the majority of the season, have shown vulnerabilities, especially on the road and in clutch situations. Houston has struggled with consistency on offense and has had difficulty closing out games. Their recent form has been concerning, losing seven of their last nine games before the All-Star break. The absence of Jabari Smith Jr. due to injury has significantly impacted their defense, with their defensive rating dropping from 105.8 (2nd in the league) to 116.2 (18th) since his absence. This defensive regression, coupled with the Jazz's home-court advantage and the potential for players like Markkanen and Kessler to exploit mismatches, gives Utah a fighting chance to secure an upset victory against the Rockets.

The Houston Rockets visit the Utah Jazz in what promises to be an intriguing matchup at the Delta Center. Despite their recent struggles, going 2-7 in their last nine games before the All-Star break, the Rockets are expected to bounce back strong. The potential return of Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr. could provide a much-needed boost to Houston's lineup. Their sixth-ranked defense, allowing just 108.6 points per game, remains a key strength, and their offense, led by Jalen Green's 21.2 PPG, has the firepower to challenge the Jazz.