Jazz prefer that Harden not get too comfortable

No one on the Jazz is using the word “stop” when referring to what they’ll try to do to James Harden in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday night after the Rockets star scored 41 points in a Game 1 rout.

They’re simply searching for ways to slow Harden down a bit after he has averaged almost 36 points per game in five meetings this season.

“He is a (heck) of a player, so it’s going to be tough,” Jazz forward Joe Ingles said. “But we feel we can just try to make it a bit tough on him for the whole (time) he’s out there.”

Harden made seven 3pointers in Game 1, leaving the Jazz focused on limiting him from long range.

“Just make him a driver,” rookie Donovan Mitchell said. “He loves getting back to that 3. They got comfortable in the first half and they went up 30.

“So just being able to make them uncomfortable and not let them dictate what we do on defense (will help us). Make sure we dictate what they do.”

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni isn’t concerned about anything the Jazz might throw at Harden.

“There’s no answer (because) he’s seen it all,” D’Antoni said. “Now, he might play bad — he’s human — but there’s nothing you can come up with that can stop one of the best offensive players ever.”

Harden led the NBA in scoring during the regular season by averaging a career-high 30.4 points per game, and he ranks second behind LeBron James in the postseason with 31 points per game.

The top-seeded Rockets expect to see a different team than they did in Game 1 after the Jazz had only about 36 hours between the end of Game 6 against the Thunder and the start of this series.

“I think a couple days’ rest will help them and we’ll get the best they’ve got,” D’Antoni said.

The Jazz refused to use fatigue as an excuse for their poor performance in Game 1 but did admit they were feeling better with a little bit of rest. Mitchell said having two days to break down film and work on the game plan has also been beneficial.

Despite trailing by double digits for most of Sunday’s game, the Jazz aren’t daunted or discouraged.

“Being down 0-1 last series and seeing how we responded definitely gives more hope,” Mitchell said.

The Jazz will again be minus starting point guard Ricky Rubio, who sat out Game 1 and is out indefinitely with a strained left hamstring.