The Utah Jazz got off to a hot start led by Jae Crowder Monday night in Salt Lake City, and knocked off the Houston Rockets 107-91 to stave off elimination on their home floor. Crowder scored the Jazz first 12 points for the Jazz, and finished the night with 23 points, as the Jazz got scoring support for their non-stars for the first time in the series.
Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points in the second half, including 19 in the fourth, and scored 31 overall carrying the jazz to start the fourth after to regain the lead for the Jazz. For the first time in the series, the Jazz shot better than 30% from the three point line (31%), and got an efficient offensive output from Mitchell. The second year guard finished the game shooting 11/26 from the floor, and 3/7 from the three point line, while adding seven rebounds and four assists. It’s the second straight game Mitchell has scored more than 30 points.
James Harden carried the Rockets with 30 points, converting 8/19 from the floor, and 6/12 from the three point line, but Houston’s bench stumbled to a miserable 5 point performance on 2/16 shooting and 1/10 from the three point line.
The Jazz will travel to Houston for game five Wednesday night.
