Jazz guards Rubio, Exum out for Game 5

The Vivint Smart Home Arena played host to what could plausibly be the Jazz’s final home game of the postseason as the Utah Jazz dropped their second consecutive game in Salt Lake City to go 1-3 down in the Western Conference Semifinals against the top-seeded Houston Rockets.

Starting strong in the first half is becoming a signature for Houston.

Rubio hasn’t played yet in the Rockets series, nursing a left hamstring strain that actually might have healed enough for Game 5. Am I proclaiming this remarkable season for the Utah Jazz to be over despite only being down 3-1 in this series against the Houston Rockets? That and solid defence that included Green’s block of Rondo’s layup helped Golden State open up a 10-point lead before the game was four minutes old.

James Harden and Eric Gordon led the charge. They’re not just a pretty team that gives up as many points as they score anymore.

The Jazz built momentum in Game 2 behind strong showings from rookie guard Donovan Mitchell and veterans Joe Ingles and Jae Crowder, with Mitchell posting a double-double and Ingles and Crowder torched the Rockets from the perimeter.

Houston is 4-1 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over their last five games. He altered 20 shots in this game and has 13 blocks in the series while also making his presence known on the offensive end with double-digit scoring in each contest. As a team, the Jazz hit just seven-of-29 attempts from beyond the arc in their Game 4 loss.

“I don’t know just playing the game”, Gobert said of his performance. We kept them on their heels. If Houston doesn’t shoot well, they often fall asleep on defense and lack energy. They have nothing to lose.

Most possessions ended up wasted and the gulf between the two teams quickly grew into a canyon.

“We missed 22 shots at the rim”, Utah coach Quin Snyder said, per ESPN.

“So, when guys go in there and they see Clint, I think Donovan [Mitchell] drove one time and he saw Clint and he tried to pass it. They’re going to be grabbing us, trying to get us out of the game”, said Capela. “We went on runs the few times we did, but we couldn’t sustain it”. Big man Clint Capela was vast as he anchored the Houston defense en route to 15 rebounds, 12 points, six blocks, and two steals.

Mitchell, in particular, has been a focal point of Houston’s defense in the series and it has showed.

And the players weren’t the only ones feeling good about their chances at home against this Houston team. Harden still finished with 24 points, four boards, three assists, and four steals with eight turnovers.

Although Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni protested, C.J. was escorted to the tunnel to speak with security. “He was extremely aggressive tonight, which we need from him”.

Guards Ricky Rubio and Dante Exum are sidelined due to strained left hamstrings. Both are listed as questionable for Game 4.