NBA Playoffs Conference Semi-Finals: Jazz vs Rockets Preview and Prediction

Playoff series schedule

• Game 1 in Houston: Sunday, April 29, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
• Game 2 in Houston: Wednesday, May 2
• Game 3 in Salt Lake City: TBD
• Game 4 in Salt Lake City: TBD
• Game 5 in Houston: TBD (if necessary)
• Game 6 in Salt Lake City: TBD (if necessary)
• Game 7 in Houston: TBD (if necessary)

Regular season series: Rockets won 4-0

Last season’s playoff results: Rockets were eliminated in second round by Spurs 4-2; Jazz were eliminated in second round by Warriors 4-0

Injury report: Jazz guard Thabo Sefolosha is out for the season; Rockets’ forward Luc Mbah a Moute doubtful for Game 1 while recovering from a dislocated shoulder, yet he may return this series

Why will Houston win?

This is very simple, they are a more talented team than the Jazz. Sure the Jazz beat a more talented squad when they beat OKC, but Houston is even more talented. What makes them tougher than OKC is the fact that they play like an actual team and the Thunder just don’t do that. The biggest problem for the Jazz will be the Rockets have multiple big-time shooters and if the Rockets are consistent in this series they should win handily.

Why will Utah win?

The Jazz are very good defensively and they have the capability to make any team struggle from the field, even Houston. The Jazz have a huge size advantage and if Ricky Rubio can be efficient on the offensive end, the Jazz really do have a chance in this series. The Jazz are going to have to create matchup problems for the Rockets if they expect to win and with the size they have on the floor that is a possibility.

Prediction: The Rockets are the better team here but I do expect that the Jazz will be able to cause problems for the Rockets with there defense to prolong the series to at least 6 games.

Rockets in 6