Space City Scoop
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Houston Rockets Lose Key Match-up to the Jazz – Player Grades

By Andre Cantalogo

Mar 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) controls the ball as Utah Jazz forward Chris Johnson (23) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) controls the ball as Utah Jazz forward Chris Johnson (23) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Deeply engaged in contention for a spot in the postseason, the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz faced off this Wednesday the 23rd  at the Toyota Center.

After a spirited performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder last night the Houston Rockets were back home to face one of their top competitors for the final spot in this year’s p(layoffs.

And with the last three spots in the Western Conference still up for grabs, the remaining four teams in contention went to war against each other (while this game was on the Mavs were battling the Blazers).

169. 89. 118. . 87

A highly competitive but sloppy game from the onset. The good news for the Houston Rockets started early as they finally ended up ahead after the first quarter, something pretty rare this season as Bickerstaff’s team often gets out of the gate slowly.

Exchanging runs throughout the game the teams remained close, but the Jazz were often in the backseat. That is until the final quarter when the game picked up intensity, the Jazz closed the gap and the teams switched back and forth leading on the scoreboard. Favors and Hayward sealed the deal for the Jazz.

The Rockets had a shameful night shooting free-throws (54%) and that very likely costed them the game.

This team simply don’t deserve to go forward this year and that is the harsh reality. Let’s take the draft pick, hope for a rebuild and a real Head Coach next year.

Rockets Player Grades

B-. Mr. Consistency, <a href=. SF. Houston Rockets. TREVOR ARIZA

C. Fully recovered and in shape the big man from Lithuania is a great addition to this team. I still don’t believe the Rockets are taking complete advantage of <a href=. PF-C. Houston Rockets. DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS

It’s one thing for <a href=. C. Houston Rockets. DWIGHT HOWARD. D

A. Probably still hurting from last night’s defeat to his former team, <a href=. SG. Houston Rockets. JAMES HARDEN

Houston Rockets. PATRICK BEVERLEY. D. <a href=. PG

Best Reserve

MICHAEL BEASLEY. C. It’s almost redundant at this point saying <a href=. PF. Houston Rockets

Best Opponent:

DERRICK FAVORS. A. Even though an argument could be made in favor of Gordon Hayward tonight, I’d rather stick with <a href=. PF. Utah Jazz

Next: Houston Rockets Playoff Race

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