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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The Houston Texans host the Jaguars this Sunday, with CJ Stroud and company looking to get back on track after getting pounded by the Vikings last week.
The Jaguars also come into this matchup hungry for a win, having started the season 0-3.
On defense, the Texans will need better production from their interior defensive linemen this week. Houston's defensive tackles rank second to last in the league this year according to PFF, and HC DeMeco Ryans made a point of saying he wants to see some improvement from that group.
Big week coming for Nico Collins?
Collins popped up on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring issue, but if he's able to play, the matchup for him is fantastic.
Houston #Texans Thursday Injury Report for Week 4 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars: pic.twitter.com/8RF9BDwhts
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) September 26, 2024
The Jaguars lead the league in using man coverage, and they've employed press coverage over 80% of the time this season. No receiver in the league has better numbers against those coverages than Nico.
Collins leads the NFL in first downs per route run versus man and press coverage.
The Jags are one of two defenses to use press coverage +80% of the time in 2024.
Best WR vs. press coverage?
Nico Collins pic.twitter.com/5VND5PVO4O
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) September 25, 2024
Houston may have to lean on Collins (assuming his hamstring is good) and Stefon Diggs this week, with Tank Dell likely unavailable for the game with an injury to his chest/ribs.
Dell injured himself at the end of the Vikings game on a meaningless drive, with backup QB Davis Mills in for Stroud.
What does Vegas think?
Depending on which sportsbook you're looking at, the Texans are favored by either 6 or 6.5 points.
The total for the game comes in at 45.5.
Be sure to watch the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap covers all the angles in their game breakdown.
Plus, join us on the SportsMapTexans YouTube channel directly following the game as we'll react live to all the action!