Nov
1
by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
In a rematch of last year’s seven-game, first round series in the Western Conference playoffs, the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz square off tonight. Last year, the Jazz got the tough Game Seven win in Houston as an Andrei Kirilenko three with a little more than a minute left in the game proved to be the defining play of the series.
Tonight’s game could very well be a preview of a rematch between these teams in the first round of the 2008 playoffs. With the first three spots in the West most likely going to Dallas, Phoenix and San Antonio, Utah and Houston are left right behind.
In its playoff predictions, Hoops 4 the Soul picked the Rockets to triumph against the Jazz this year in a decisive seventh game in Salt Lake City. This prediction was based in large part on the strong offseason by the Rockets, including the hiring of a more offensive-minded Head Coach in Rick Adelman, the emergence of Yao Ming as a more dominant player, the acquisition of Argentine power forward Luis Scola, and the rededication of forward Bonzi Wells.
However, will doubting the incomparable Deron Williams prove to be a fatal flaw for Hoops 4 the Soul? Williams and the Jazz routed the Golden State Warriors on the road 48 hours with Williams, Carlos Boozer and Kirilenko playing strong games.
As for Houston, the Rockets survived against the Lakers, nearly blowing a 12-point lead in the final minute and a half. Houston looked like it always does with Ming and Tracy McGrady, so tantalizing and yet so frustrating. It’s going to take the Rockets some time to adjust to Adelman after plodding along with former Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy and his offensively defensive philosophy.
With that said, Utah will get the home win tonight. Even in a likely loss, Houston needs to get steadier play from point guard Rafer Alston and incorporate Scola more into the game rather than bringing him along slowly.
Regardless of what happens tonight, it’s always satisfying to watch Williams run the show.
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Comments
Good defense by the Utah Jazz drama boys, if only we could patch up the difference, this will be a Utah good season. They are running, switching in defense, rebounding see those efforts. We don’t have yet the Jazz team down.
I which I could see some Jazz games live. I was looking for tickets all the good seats on ticketmaster were taken I had to check broker. And man you don’t want to do that especially for the Utah Jazz. Thanks god there sites like Ticketwood which work as comparators here is the site
Jazz Tickets
http://www.ticketwood.com/nba/Utah-Jazz-Tickets/index.php
I like slam dunks that take me to the hoop my favorite play is the ally-hoop,
I like the pic n roll,i like the given goal its basketball yo, yo lets go!
Go Jazz Go!!!