Kragthorpe: Rudy Gobert and the Jazz’s defense offer little resistance to the Rockets in Game 3
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Jazz head coach Quin Snyder speaks about Donovan Mitchell's put back dunk in game 2 during the press conference prior to game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni speaks about how Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles' game was "sneaky" during the press conference prior to game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni speaks about how Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles' game was "sneaky" during the press conference prior to game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) warms up as the Utah Jazz get ready take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans cheer on the team as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) talks with assistant coach Zach Guthrie as the Utah Jazz get ready to take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) shoots around the court as the Utah Jazz get ready to take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is alone with his thoughts during the national anthem prior to game 3. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) sits on the bench during the first period as The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is introduced. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) tries to block the shot of Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (4) during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) loos on from the bench during a disastrous first half. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Pre game introductions. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) tries to block the shot of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) looks back to see Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) make a reverse layup during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) takes his usual pre game leap off the chairs during warm ups. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) is fouled during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) tries to block the shot of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Fans have fun with the "Take Note" banner during pre game. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives in for an easy shot during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) shoots after driving through the Houston defense during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder yells to his team during a disastrous first half. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) tries to disrupt the 3-point shot of Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) defends Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Jazz fans have fun during a time out. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) slices in for an easy layup during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) takes the court prior to game 3 against the Jazz. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
The "Take Note" banner is displayed by fans prior to game 3. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) had 10 points and 8 assists in the first half as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) encircles Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) knocks the ball from Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is charged with a foul as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans cheer on a dunk by Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Ekpe Udoh (33) and the bench celebrate the play of Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) knocks the ball from Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is denied the shot by Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) makes a save as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Jazz try to get back on the board as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25) gets some encouragement from Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) shoots around Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) tries to get past Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) hits the net as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder questions a call by official Ron Garretson as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) fights to get past Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) and Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks on Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3)as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) denies Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) had 12 points and 5 assists in the first half as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans offer words of caution as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) fights past Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) is pressured by Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Rockets take the court as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) was held to 6 points in the first half as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) was held to 2 points in the first half as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) fights past Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts as he sits on the bench in the 4th quarter. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) calls for a two shot foul from the referees during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) battles under the hoop during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) drives during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) tries to get a could call from referee Marc Davis during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25) drives for a layup against Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Jazz fans who stayed till the end of the game try to make shooting free throws difficult during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
A sight seen often for Jazz fans - Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) at the foul line. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts to the loss. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) and Utah Jazz center Ekpe Udoh (33) pressure Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) for a turnover. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (4) pressures Utah Jazz forward Jonas Jerebko (8) and Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Rockets bench in the remaining minutes of the game. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) gets the ball knocked away by Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts to the loss. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives around Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets forward Tarik Black (28) fouls Utah Jazz center Ekpe Udoh (33). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) knocks the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) battles Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45), Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) react to the loss. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) had 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) screens Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) for teammate Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) drives to the net around Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with the bench in the second half. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts to second half play. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
This whole thing could have been worse from a Jazz perspective, considering the Houston Rockets scored 50 points in one quarter of their playoff series with Minnesota last week and the Jazz totaled only 54 in Game 3 vs. Chicago in the 1998 NBA Finals.
Friday’s Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals was bad enough, though. The Jazz’s proud defense allowed 70 points in the first half of a 113-92 defeat at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
If you’re wondering, this was not a case of the Rockets’ hitting all kinds of outside shots. Houston made 19 of 25 attempts from 2-point range in the half. Imagine what this exercise may have looked like if the Jazz didn’t have the probable NBA Defensive Player of the Year in their lineup.
Rudy Gobert was powerless to stop Houston’s inside attack, with his teammates doing nothing to slow down the Rockets’ drivers.
“I didn’t think anybody really did their job defensively,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said, “and it showed.”
That was true even on Twitter, with “Rockets 70” trending highly.
The Jazz’s offense was not much better than their defense, with Houston coach Mike D’Antoni countering the Jazz’s moves. Afterward, D’Antoni laughed when the word “adjustments” framed the first question of the postgame news conference.
“We adjusted our attitude and spirit and energy,” he said. “Our defense was superb.”
The Jazz’s overall showing? Something other than superb, that’s for sure.
Wow. What a letdown. If a reasonable goal for the Jazz was merely avoiding a sweep in this series, they’ve succeeded. Yet the thing about Wednesday’s Game 2 win at Houston is it seemingly created all kinds of possibilities for the Jazz. My review framed that breakthrough as the franchise’s most meaningful win in more than a decade.
And they followed that performance with this effort?
Maybe it was all a cosmic response to some Jazz fans’ glee about Philadelphia rookie Ben Simmons scoring one point in Thursday’s loss to Boston. Donovan Mitchell went 1 of 10 in the first half, scoring two points (he finished with 10 points).
Even so, Jazz fans deserved something better than being subjected to watching their team trail by 37 points after 28 minutes of basketball. The Jazz gave them three memorable home-court victories in the first-round series vs. Oklahoma City. Yet other than David Stockton’s scoring his first playoff basket, not much was redeeming about Friday’s exercise – especially considering how ticket prices rise in every playoff round.
To paraphrase “Caddyshack” philosopher Carl Spackler, the Rockets’ kidding around is pretty much over.
Is it possible the Jazz needed to be humbled at some point in the postseason, to realize they have much more to do in an effort to join the NBA’s elite level? As general manager Dennis Lindsey likes to say, “The results always tell you the truth.”
That quote fit nicely in the Game 2 account, but it applies equally to Game 3. The only question at this point is whether the Jazz can summon anything better for Game 4. Otherwise, their season probably will end with Tuesday’s Game 5 in Houston — and they will have lost their last home game of every postseason appearance since 2000.
One theme of the Jazz’s 2018 playoffs going Friday’s contest was how volatile these games have been, with big runs by each team in both series. “I think it happens because we are playing really explosive teams,” Snyder said before Game 3. “We’ve played teams that are capable of scoring in bunches.”
In Game 2 in Houston, the Jazz lost an 18-point advantage in six minutes spanning halftime, but they took command in the fourth quarter with a 16-2 burst. As Lindsey said on the Jazz’s radio station, “They responded, and we responded to their response.”
Any emotional swing is magnified in the playoffs, and the momentum-changing sequences were almost dizzying. “I think we have been able to sustain some of those things and respond, because of who we are,” Snyder said. “There is a resiliency about these guys that’s like when you live through something … there is a sense that we have been here before. There is something we can do about it.”
They didn’t do much about it Friday, after Houston’s 32-12 start. The Jazz’s only flash of competence came after the Rockets stormed to a 49-25 lead. Royce O’Neale’s flurry of seven points topped a 9-0 Jazz run.
Houston answered with a 21-6 burst to close the half at 70-40. In the second half, things became even worse for the Jazz before they got any better.
D’Antoni already knew the answers when he asked this question after Game 3: “We put ourselves in a little bit of a hole. We’re going to have to respond. Do we have that in us?”
Apparently so, judging by Friday’s outcome. Coming Sunday: The Jazz’s response, whatever it may be.