Jazz outmuscle Rockets 115-108
HOUSTON -- Rudy Gobert and Gordon Hayward served as an effective scoring tandem, and the Utah Jazz pulled out a crucial 115-108 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night at Toyota Center.
The Jazz (41-24) claimed the season series against Houston (44-21) while also closing to within three games of the third seed in the Western Conference.
Gobert posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds while Hayward delivered several clutch jumpers en route to 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Utah, which stretched its winning streak to four games.
The Rockets were undone by poor shooting throughout, finishing 8 of 32 from behind the arc. After cutting a 13-point deficit to three points in the third quarter, the Rockets finished the period shooting 1 of 9 on 3-pointers and 5 of 13 from the free-throw line.
When Houston clawed within four down the stretch, its defense failed repeatedly in thwarting the Jazz. Utah hit 12 of 31 3-point tries.
Guard James Harden paced the Rockets with 35 points and six assists, while center Clint Capela added a double-double (19 points, 12 boards). Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell scored 12 each off the bench, but Williams shot just 2 of 10.
Blistering shooting carried Utah to its early lead, as the Jazz hit 11 of 20 field goals overall including 4 of 10 from behind the arc. That early proficiency from deep befuddled the Rockets, who tried to counter with 12 paint points yet couldn't keep pace. Gobert was instrumental, converting all three of his shot attempts while serving as an offensive fulcrum with his stellar pick-setting.
While Houston caught an offensive rhythm in the second quarter, its defense remained vulnerable. Both Gobert (10) and Rodney Hood (12) reached double figures by the intermission as Utah stretched its 30-22 lead entering the second quarter to 11 points by the break. The Jazz bench contributed 21 points in the first half to supplement the scoring.
Hood finished with 19 points.
NOTES: Jazz F Derrick Favors (knee) and G George Hill (toe) sat out. Hill missed a second consecutive game. Jazz G/F Joe Johnson started in place of Favors and scored 16 points. ... Rockets F Ryan Anderson (back spasms) was unavailable, missing his first action since a late-January bout with the stomach virus. Anderson is questionable to make the trip to Chicago for Friday's game against the Bulls. ... Houston fell to 1-7 when its opponent makes more 3-pointers.