The Houston Rockets are in the Conference Finals! With a 112:102 win over Utah Jazz, the Texans won the second round series 4:1, with Chris Paul making the best playoff game of his career. Jazz and Donovan Mitchell were struck by bad luck in the decisive phase.
Ricky Rubio was still missing in the Jazz with a thigh injury, Royce O’Neal started for him again. The Rockets did not make any changes either – so there were the same starting five on the floor as before.
The start into the game was sluggish, neither team had a rhythm yet and missed many open throws. After 8 minutes the hosts had 0/8 threesomes on the account, Utah 1/5. accordingly low was the score – highlights were nevertheless in the form of beautiful James Harden passes. Suddenly he could do it himself and sank the first triple for his team, Luc Mbah a Moute did the same: 21:16 after 12 minutes.
In the second quarter Alec Burks ran hot for the Jazz and scored 9 points within a few minutes. That kept his team in the game, while the Rockets have improved downtown’s hit rate. Overall, the offensives ran more smoothly at both ends, the ball movement worked. Then, with the Rockets, who had already led with 9 points, the quibble crept in and the Jazz balanced out. However, the strong Chris Paul once again provided a dominant run: 54:46 at halftime.
After the break tea Harden put 4 litters in a row on the ring. He hadn’t found his flow yet. But there was still Paul, who created open throws for his teammates with clever drive-and-kick plays. PJ Tucker was a profiteer and sunk one or two corner threesomes. On the other hand, Donovan Mitchell thawed – it was about time. A spectacular three-point game brought his team up to 60:63, shortly afterwards Burks even took the lead by three. But now Mitchell was the center of a 21:6-Run Utah with several great finishes on the board and a cheeky threesome: 78:75 for Utah after three quarters.
In the final section, jazz coach Snyder needed an early time-out, as Paul and Tucker’s threesomes brought the Rockets back to the front. Then Gerald Green electrified the crowd with a crashing fastbreak-dunk – +4 for the Rockets. Jazz stayed up because they met their well-played free litters. Then the shock: Mitchell collided unhappily with Harden while dribbling and injured his leg. On his way to the Locker Room he had to be supported – he never came back.
Nevertheless, his team managed a 7-0 run, which – of course – was countered by sensationally efficient Paul. The man was unstoppable and scored 13 Rockets points in a row. His completely wild threesome with board at the expiring throw to 105:96 was the dagger.
In the end he had a playoff career high of 41 points (8/10 3FG), plus 10 assists, 7 rebounds – and not a single turnover! Harden remained cold (18 points, 7/22 FG), Tucker supported with 19 points. Top scorers of the Jazz were Mitchell (24 points, 9 assists) and Burks (22 points).
The Rockets will be in the Western Conference Finals, where they will probably meet the Golden State Warriors.
Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz 112:102, series 4:1 (BOXSCORE)
Mike D’Antoni (about Chris Paul): “When you watch his games, you can see that he is always incredible – not only today”.
Quin Snyder (practising Donovan Mitchell’s season): “He just enjoys playing basketball and watching it. It’s just a pleasure to coach him and have him on the team.”
Chris Paul. The Point God lived up to his name and played probably the best playoff game of his career. The shortcoming of never having made it beyond the second playoff round obviously incited him. Highly concentrated, he pocketed one roll after the other – even those with a high degree of difficulty. He also created throws for his teammates with his precise drives and passes. That he didn’t lose a single ball was the icing on the cake.
Jae Crowder. He often stood at the end of good passes and took the appropriate litters. But he remained without luck (2/11 FG). Defensive but with the usual use.
If you have a floor general like Chris Paul on the court, you can sit back and relax as a coach. Mike D’Antoni did the same – he let CP3 work and apparently managed to satisfy Harden with a more passive role than usual.