Breaking down the loss

How the Rockets lost their chance at the sweep

Chris Paul and James Harden
Tim Warren/Getty Images

Monday night the Houston Rockets took on the Utah Jazz with every intention of completing the sweep against their first round opponent. The Jazz had other plans, however, and despite a third quarter run by the Rockets to retake the lead, it was the Jazz who would ultimately battle back and take game four. Utah's hopes remain alive in the 2019 playoffs, yet in spite of their victory they still trail Houston three games to one.

Out muscled

The Rockets came out flat from the get go and that tempo seemed to carry with them throughout the match up. They were out-assisted 14-24, out-rebounded 48-62 (16 of which were offensive), and brutalized in points in the paint, 22-52. It was a lackluster effort, and yet the Rockets remained competitive until the final seconds.

Donovan Mitchell Explodes

Despite poor play all around the Rockets were still hanging around late into the fourth. Their chances of a come from behind victory were quickly dashed when 2nd year guard Donovan Mitchell turned on the jets. Mitchell fired 6-12 for 19 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter alone, including two back to back three-pointers to put the game away late. Mitchell's outburst was perfectly timed and integral in staving off Houston's comeback.

No backup

James Harden shook off his unusual game three performance with a solid 30 point outing, matched closely by 23 points from Chris Paul. Aside from them, however, Houston received little assistance from their supporting cast. The Rockets bench fired a collective 2-16 and accounted for 5 points. The Jazz bench in contrast went 9-22 for 28 points. Harden and Paul can do whatever they want on the court, but if this is the support they can expect moving forward, Houston won't last too much longer this postseason. It's highly unlikely the bench remains that ineffective moving forward, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

Rockets player of the game

Chris Paul: 23 points, 7 assists, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, 2 blocks

Jazz player of the game

Donovan Mitchell: 31 points, 4 assists, 7 rebounds

Next up

The Rockets return to Houston for game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on Wednesday at 7:00 pm, central.

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Jabari Smith agreed to a new contract with Houston. Photo via: Wiki Commons.

Power forward Jabari Smith Jr. is expected to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension with Houston, according to a report from ESPN.

The deal is reportedly fully guaranteed and would keep Smith in a Rockets uniform through the 2030–31 season.

Smith, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, averaged 12.2 points and seven rebounds last season, starting 39 of the 57 games he played. While injuries and inconsistency limited his minutes at times, the 21-year-old showed flashes of the two-way potential that made him a top lottery pick, and someone the Rockets clearly see as part of their long-term foundation.

The move signals continued trust in the franchise’s young core and a commitment to internal development as Houston builds toward sustained playoff contention.

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