Jazz 107, Rockets 91
3-pointers from the Rockets loss to Utah in Game 4
Apr 23, 2019, 5:03 am
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The Utah Jazz avoided elimination rallying to beat the Rockets in the fourth quarter 107-91. The Rockets still lead 3-1 and should wrap up the series on Wednesday at Toyota Center. A quick look at the game:
1) Donovan Mitchell shows up
The Jazz start scored 19 if his 31 points in the fourth quarter to close the deal. He had a rough start to the game, but came up big late. Mitchell has to be at his best for the Jazz to have a chance, and the Rockets have to not play their best. That's exactly what happened.
2) Not protecting the basketball
James Harden had eight turnovers and the team had 15 overall. They were sloppy with the ball and it cost them. In addition, the bench was invisible with only five points. The Rockets also shot better from 3 (37 percent) than 2 (35.4 percent).
3) Capela's impact
Clint Capela was battling illness and managed just four points in 28 minutes of play. The the Rockets are clicking, he is a monster on the pick and roll, but Monday night he was completely ineffective. That plus the lack of bench play proved too much to overcome.
The bottom line: The Rockets dropped a stinker. (You could argue that is two in a row, but they managed to win game 3). They return home on Wednesday and there is little reason to think they will play this poorly again. It would have been nice to close it out Monday but it should happen when they return home.
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Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.