Rockets vs. Jazz
So far: Rockets 16-51; Jazz 49-18.
Lately: The Rockets’ skid grew to four with a loss to the Bucks. The Jazz won the fourth game of a five-game homestand, beating the Nuggets on Friday.
SCOUTING THE ROCKETS
The Rockets, who lost 141-133 to the Bucks in Milwaukee on Friday, are 4-9 in the second half of back-to-backs heading into their final set of games on consecutive nights. … They are 8-24 on the road after Friday’s game, the first of a four-game road trip, with losses in their past two road games since winning in Orlando. … The Rockets’ starting lineup Friday was their 39th of the season. … The Rockets have been outscored by an average of 113-94 in the first two meetings with the Jazz with the Jazz making 46.8 percent of their shots, the Rockets 36 percent. … Since the trade to the Rockets, center Kelly Olynyk has been one of eight players averaging at least 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal. … Forward Jae’Sean Tate is one of 10 NBA players averaging 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals since the All-Star break. … Guard Armoni Brooks’ 33 3-pointers going into Friday’s game were tied for the fourth-most ever in the first 14 games of a player’s career, and he is three 3s shy of the record.
SCOUTING THE JAZZ
The Jazz are 30-4 at home. … The Jazz lead the NBA in net rating, outscoring opponents by 9.2 points per 100 possessions, three points better than the second-place team, the Los Angeles Clippers. They are second in rebounding percentage, opposing field goal percentage and opposing 3-point percentage. … Forward Bojan Bogdanovic averaged 22.9 points on 49.5 percent shooting in 13 games going into Friday. … Center Rudy Gobert’s plus/minus of plus-663 leads the NBA. He leads the NBA in defensive rebounds and is second in rebounds per game and blocked shots per game. … Joe Ingles, the Jazz franchise record holder for career 3s, has made 46.7 percent of his 3-pointers, ranking fifth in the league. … Jordan Clarkson has averaged 17.4 points off the bench, leading reserves who have played enough to be included among the league leaders.
NUMBER TO NOTE
28 Players to have played for the Rockets this season, tying the NBA record held by the 2015-16 Grizzlies and 2018-19 Magic.
INJURY/STATUS REPORT
Rockets: Forward Danuel House Jr. (sore right ankle) is doubtful. Guard D.J. Augustin (sprained right ankle), center Kelly Olynyk (sore right ankle) and forward Jae’Sean Tate (bruised right knee) are questionable. Guard Kevin Porter Jr. (sprained left ankle), guard Avery Bradley (personal reasons), guard John Wall (strained right hamstring), forward David Nwaba (sprained right wrist), guard Eric Gordon (strained right groin), guard Dante Exum (right calf strain), forward D.J. Wilson (health and safety protocols), center Christian Wood (sore right ankle) and guard Sterling Brown (sore left knee) are out.
Jazz: Guard Donovan Mitchell (sprained right ankle), guard Mike Conley (tight right hamstring) and forward Juwan Morgan (sore right heel) were out Friday.