-The Jazz also played yesterday, which is important because, well, we did. They lost to the Kings, so not only will they be tired, they'll also be (slightly) demoralized. If we can come out early and attack there's a strong chance we'll be able to build a stable lead like the one we had against the Spurs, which came in extremely handy later in the game.
-Just as an aside, the Jazz game on February 16th was Carl's last game as a Rocket. And if you think this was just an excuse to mention Carl Landry again, you're damn right.
-I watch the games we play in. We're playing the Jazz. The Jazz have Andrei Kirilenko. Through transitive property, this means that I will be forced to watch Andrei Kirilenko. This makes me unhappy.
-The Jazz have one of the worst opponent's free throw rates in the league, which plays right into Kevin Martin's wily, crafty hands. As we saw yesterday, Kevin Martin can make a living at the free throw line, and going against the foul-happy Jazz is an absolute blessing for Martin. If Martin can get the Jazz into the penalty early, look for a contest akin to last night, in which the Rockets won the game at the free throw line.
-The Jazz also have one of the worst turnover rates in the NBA, which means there will be plenty of opportunities for the Rockets to push the ball and score easy baskets. The Jazz are in the top third in the league in terms of defensive efficiency and every point in transition is a point we don't have to work at, so the more the better.
-Unfortunately for the Rockets, the Jazz take the third most shots directly at the basket in the NBA, which could prove problematic for us since we lack a true shot-blocker down low. We're going to need either Jeffries, Armstrong or Hill to step up and protect the paint to prevent the game from becoming a layup line for the Jazz.
-We're going to have to deal with the incessant flopping routine that is the Utah Jazz, as Kirilenko has taken a sort of twisted pride in desecrating the sanctity of basketball by falling indiscriminately, regardless of whether or not he was actually touched. Just another reason to hate him.
-The power forward battle will be critical tonight, as Boozer and Scola are both essential to their respective teams. They both also had spectacular nights yesterday, and the winner of this matchup could go a long way in determining the outcome of the entire game.
In case you haven't figured it out, I really, really don't like this man.
Overall tonight should be excellent to watch, as both teams have very little affinity for one another and it shows whenever they get together. Every time we play the Jazz it's chippy, rough and borderline violent, and tonight should be no different. Both teams will be tired after last night, which could lead to harder falls and deader legs, and if you add the inherent dislike these clubs share for one another you have a deadly concoction. Hopefully the momentum from last night's win over the Spurs can carry over to tonight, especially for Kevin Martin. I think we can definitely leave Utah with the victory, but it'll most likely be a hard-fought contest either way. So, with unbounded emphasis tonight, go Rockets.
Houston Rockets: 29-28, 96.3 possessions per game (7th), 103.4 points scored per 100 possessions (19th), 104.2 points allowed per 100 possessions (15th)
Utah Jazz: 37-21, 95.5 possessions per game (14th), 106.4 points scored per 100 possessions (8th), 101.9 points allowed per 100 possessions (10th)
All stats from hoopdata.com
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