The Jazz’s worst losing record season continues to extend with a (105-143) loss to the Houston Rockets. The Jazz were just never able to get anything going on the offensive end tonight and the defense wasn’t much better. Let’s Recap.
Game Recap
1st Quarter
The Game was underway and something to watch early on was the exciting combination of the Filipowski Kessler experiment in the starting five. Utah won the tip and no surprise the first shot of the game was a Walker Kessler top of the key three. However, Utah had no answer to the Rockets hot shooting early and got into a quick 11-5 deficit. The Jazz started the game shooting only 1-8 through the first four minutes. But after a Dillion Brooks flagrant foul momentum started to shift and the first timeout came at the 6:40 mark with the scores tied (13-13.) Coming out of the timeout the young bull continued to keep the pace of the game quick and got Utah in a slight lead midway through the first. But late in the quarter the Rockets answered back and went on an 11-0 run hitting three after three. The pace continued to be quick to the end, and the quarter ended with Utah 26 Houston 33.
Dillon Brooks got a technical foul after kicking Collin Sexton
It's his 16th tech this season which will lead to a one-game suspension pic.twitter.com/p9hiXgnhJc
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 3, 2025
2nd Quarter
The second quarter started like the first with Walker Kessler being involved again with a quick steal and shots at the stripe. But the inability to defend the paint kept Utah in a 10-point deficit early on. Houston led by Sengun was pulling Walker out from under the basket which just opened up Utah’s paint and second-chance points just kept being an issue for Utah’s defense. The offensive end wasn’t much better for the Jazz, and the Rockets took advantage and went on a 14-4 run before the first timeout of the quarter at 6:53. Coming out of the timeout the Jazz did have their fair share of open shots but whether it was lack of communication or just missing open shots the Jazz just couldn’t take advantage. Houston was more energetic on both sides of the ball and with no Walker down low the paint was wide open. The half ended with Utah 46 and Houston 70.
3rd Quarter
Coming out of the half Houston started right where they left off just scoring from all three levels and getting to a quick 34-point advantage to start the third. Every time Utah got any smell of momentum it was shut down quickly with either poor ball handling or just not stopping Houston on the offensive end. Jalen Green spearheading Houston in the second half was just hurting Utah from deep all night. But defensive rebounds have continued to be the problem for Utah the whole game. Way too many second-chance points for the Rockets. The first timeout of the quarter came at the 5:50 mark with Houston leading (59-89.) Coming out of the break Utah never got enough consistent stops to try and make a dent into Houston’s lead. However, Something I noticed was the high number of transition lobs from the Jazz. Usually with Sexton as the destination as well. Anyway the third quarter ended with Utah 75 and Houston 102.
4th Quarter
The final quarter of the night and I will give credit to Collier and Keyonte. When they’ve driven into the paint it looks good and usually comes away with points. Another area where Utah struggled was just how many turnovers in transition they had. It seemed like every other play someone tried to pass it across the court and the ball got picked off so easily. Houston then brought in 3rd overall pick in the 2024 draft Reed Sheppard for the first time in the night and he immediately put up two threes. Houston’s good no doubt. This is why I’m so happy Utah is finally bottoming out. Houston did it for years. The first timeout of the quarter comes at 6:47 with Houston leading (85-119.) Coming out of the break a nice Keyonte three. The trio of Keyonte, Collier, and Kessler has been good this game. The final score was Utah 105 and Houston 143.
Standout Players/Takeaways
Isaiah Collier- Collier with a great efficiency night shot 7-11 from the field. I love watching his first step. It gives him such an advantage at getting to the rim early on. But maybe what impressed me the most from Collier tonight was his 10 assists and 0 turnovers. The dude is special and he ended the night with a double-double having 22 points as well.
Kyle Filipowski- Flip was on the struggle bus from three tonight. Went 0-6 in the first half and didn’t even attempt another the whole second. Went 3-14 from the field. His defense wasn’t great as the main big for when Kessler was out. Just an off night to overall an impressive season. But be a goldfish and move on to Indiana.
Houston is a great example of building from the draft. Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, and Amen Thompson all top picks. Houston suffered and they got their reward now sitting at the moment second in the Western conference. Plus bringing in vets like Sengun and Brooks to fill out the team, Houston is sitting very well. Plus we didn’t even get to see Jae’Sean Tate and Cam Whitmore, also all draft picks. Hats off to Houston’s FO.
However, Jazz fans keep your head up high. The Washington Wizards were winners tonight (116-111) vs Sacramento which means the odds of Utah locking in number one just got slightly better. With the season coming down to an end Utah could have a very good chance of ending the season with the worst record.
Standout Stats
Reed Sheppard the Rocket’s third pick didn’t play the first three quarters, came in during the 4th shot only threes made 5-7 and ended with 15 points in 8 minutes.
Houston outrebounded Utah tonight 72-45. They had 23 second-chance points to Utah’s 6, and shot 42% from three to Utah’s 25. Bad shooting night from the Jazz but got to give credit to Houston’s defense their twin towers of Sengun and Jabari Smith are dangerous.
For Utah 6 players in double figures tonight but a whole lot of 2-10’s and 3-14’s from the field.
Next Game
Who: Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers
When: April 4th, 5:00PM Mountain Time
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse- Indianapolis, IN
Watch: Jazz+, KJZZ