Third time may not be the charm for Jazz when they take on Rockets tonight in Houston

Houston • The old adage says it’s tough to beat a team three straight times. And that slender thread is what the Jazz are clinging to as they get ready to take on the Houston Rockets for the third time this season here tonight.

Every other way you look at it, the odds will be stacked high against Utah at the Toyota Center.

The Rockets, who have drubbed the Jazz in two previous meetings, have won 13 consecutive games — 11 by at least 10 points. They have the best record in the NBA. They are one of the best offenses in the league, and shockingly enough for a Mike D’Antoni team, one of the best defenses in the league as well.

The Jazz? They’re still without Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors and Raul Neto. So this is the reality: Utah can play a perfect game tonight and still lose. The Jazz could play a really good game and still lose by double figures.

That’s how overbearing Houston has been on the rest of the league this season.

“We have to control as much as we can tonight,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “They make it tough on you. They have so many shooters and their big guy [Clint Capela] puts a lot of pressure on the rim. They have a great team.”

For the Jazz, this is the fifth of a six game road trip. It is their third game in four nights and their last three opponents will have been three of the four best teams in the NBA.Utah has been competitive, so losing five out of its last six games is a bit misleading.

The Jazz defeated the Boston Celtics Friday night. They were close enough against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday that LeBron James had to don his fourth quarter Superman cape and take over down the stretch.

And that’s what the Jazz have to do as their brutal December schedule continues. They have to stay close to the playoff hunt and try and tread water, until the schedule lightens following the new year.