Houston Rockets Game 72 of 2015-16 Season vs Jazz

Houston Rockets Game 72 of 2015-16  saw the squad tipping off versus the Utah Jazz.

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 72 of 2015-16 versus the Utah Jazz.

Mar 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) dunks the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Jazz won 89-87. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets added draft picks and signed free agents to improve upon an especially mediocre 41-41 campaign. Big man Dwight Howard left for Atlanta while free agents Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and Pablo Prigioni joined Houston in free agency.

Hopes are these additions and the growth of existing assets will translate into a season similar to 2014-15. While fans wait for opening night on October 26th versus the Lakers hopefully this series will appease your cravings.

To that end, this series showcases the Rockets 82 games noting the pregame analysis, post game grades, and relevant video. Furthermore, SCS will highlight significant changes made by their opponents this summer. So, here it is – – enjoy all 82 posts as SCS takes you back over the 2015-16 season.

Game 72 – Utah Jazz

Pregame Analysis:

The Houston Rockets continue to be their own worst enemies in regards to seizing opportunities. Over the past 6 games they have 2 wins and those came against injury decimated Grizzlies team and a squeaker over the T-Wolves.

Worse while the Mavericks have been in free fall, the Grizzlies have been waging war with a severely depleted roster and the Blazers Damian Lillard appears to be wearing down the Rockets failed to capitalize. Houston had a prime opportunity to vault up the ladder ahead of these teams to a more friendly sixth seed or ideally fifth seed.  Instead they lost in the closing minutes for the second time in as many games to the Hawks and Thunder.

This brings the squad to the second game of a back to back series perhaps fittingly named since their backs are against the wall. A loss will find the Jazz leaping ahead of them and possibly drop them from the playoff ladder depending on the Mavericks versus Blazers outcome.

For their part the Jazz arrive having won 5 of their past 6 games and seem to be gelling at the perfect time. Suffice to say, tonight isn’t a nice to have win, its a must win situation!

The full pregame analysis Houston Rockets Game 72 can be viewed here

Post Game Analysis:

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).

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 cost 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.- Andre Cantalogo

The full post game analysis Houston Rockets Game 72 can be viewed here.

Stat Leaders:

Cantalogo anointed Harden and Favors as the top performers of the night:

Houston Rockets Game 72 NBA.com box score.

Rockets Games vs Jazz in 2016-17

• November 19th at home
• November 29th in Utah at Vivant Smart Home Arena
• March 8th at home

Draft Picks and Free Agents

Taking a cue from the Minnesota Timberwolves who surrounded their youngsters with solid vets last season (Kevin Garnett, Kevin Martin, Tayshaun Prince) the Utah Jazz are seemingly following the same blueprint adding Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw and George Hill.

Utah is on the cusp of breaking through and could be the surprise in the West this season.

Draft Picks:

Round 1: N/A

Round 2: Joel Bolomboy (52), Marcus Paige (55), Tyrone Wallace (60)

Incoming Free Agents/trade:

• Joe Johnson 2-year, $22M with Jazz
• George Hill (traded from Pacers)
• Boris Diaw (trade from Spurs for Olivier Hanlan)

Exiting Free Agents/traded: 

• Trevor Booker 2-years $18.5M with Nets
• Trey Burke (traded for future 2nd round pick)

Unresolved:

• None

More Free Agent News

Next: Updated Free Agency Report

Next: Free Agency Profiles for all 30 Teams

Due to the large Houston Rockets fan base, SCS is always looking to add new talent to our writing team. To that end, we’re looking for individuals with a specialized focus.  Specifically, the first area  is perfect for someone who constantly surfs for breaking news on injuries, trades, insider info. Consequently this individual would select top news items providing timely quick hits to keep SCS readers in the loop.

The other writer would possess an especially strong social media background and would like to interact with Clutch City Fans. Therefore this person will promote SCS team content on facebook and twitter. As a result the successful candidate will  make sure to promote the best content coming from H-Town fans. In conclusion, if you’re a budding writer who possesses these qualities vist the SCS link, and fill out an application