Utah Jazz

Jazz-Rockets Preview Capsule

Published Apr. 28, 2018 12:28 p.m. ET

Capsule preview for the Utah Jazz-Houston Rockets second-round NBA playoff series that starts Sunday:

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WESTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 HOUSTON ROCKETS (65-17, 4-1) vs. No. 5 UTAH JAZZ (48-34, 4-2)

Season series: Rockets, 4-0.

Story line: A classic postseason contrast of styles between the Rockets, who fire at will from 3-point range and were second in the league in scoring with 112.4 points per game, against a Jazz team anchored by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Rudy Gobert that tied for fewest points per game allowed (99.8). But even the Jazz couldn't stop the Rockets during the regular season, as Houston averaged 116.3 points on 50.3 percent shooting in its four-game sweep.

How They Got Here: Golden State beat No. 8 Minnesota 4-1; Utah beat No. 4 Oklahoma City 4-2.

Key Matchup: James Harden vs. Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell scored 38 points in Utah's clinching victory over the Thunder and reigning MVP Russell Westbrook. Now the rookie sensation leads the Jazz against the favorite for this season's award who rang up 34.3 points per game against Utah, including a 56-point masterpiece in just 35 minutes of a Nov. 5 victory.

Prediction: Rockets in 5.

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Compiled by AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney

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