For Jazz fans who felt it couldn’t get much worse than the team’s performance in game one against the Houston Rockets, game two couldn’t be have been a welcome experience, as the Jazz were once again crushed by a far superior team.
James Harden finished with a triple double, contributing 32 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, and as he did in game one, appeared totally unfazed by a Jazz defensive scheme that is designed to limit Harden’s effectiveness. Harden had 17/4/4 after the first quarter, and the Rockets had the 20 point that would mirror the final score, 118-98.
Like the defense, the offense once agains struggled, as the Jazz failed to hit open shots, shooting below 40% (39%) from the floor, and below 30% (21%) from the three point line for the second consecutive outing. Donovan Mitchell was particularly stymied, as he was held to 11 points on 5-19 shooting, and 1-8 from the three point line.
The Jazz return to Salt Lake City to host Houston in game three on Wednesday night, which will be a must win for the Jazz if they hope to extend the series.
