Rockets at Jazz
THE STORY: The Houston Rockets are seeking their fifth straight victory and the Utah Jazz are striving to avoid their fifth consecutive defeat. The Rockets are seven games over .500 for the first time all season after beating the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Houston has won 18 of its last 25 games. Utah is going the other direction, having lost 9 of 11 games and going just 6-14 after an impressive 9-4 start. The Jazz lost to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Houston, ROOT (Utah)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (21-14): Point guard Kyle Lowry had a huge game against Utah on Feb. 19 when he scored 32 points and matched a career-high by sinking seven 3-point shots. Lowry also had nine assists during the 101-85 victory. Lowry shot well against Toronto, scoring 26 points and hitting all four of his 3-point attempts. Lowry is averaging 23.8 over the last four contests and has made 14 of 22 3-point shots. Lowry is averaging 15.9 points and 7.5 assists.
ABOUT THE JAZZ (15-18): Point guard Devin Harris had 18 points and seven assists and didn’t commit a single turnover against the Kings. Harris has scored in double figures in four of the past five games and has 15 assists against one turnover in Utah’s last two games. Harris has been considered a disappointment by the team’s fan base as the player called on to replace follow All-Star Deron Williams. Harris averages just 4.6 assists and the Jazz need him to turn up his play in the second half.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Houston has beaten Utah three consecutive times.
2. Utah forward Paul Millsap bruised a heel against the Kings and will be a game-time decision.
3. The Rockets have been outrebounded in seven consecutive games.