The young and rebuilding Rockets were dominated from the opening tipoff on Monday night in Utah, where the Jazz (36-21) built on their spot as the No. 4 team in the Western Conference during a 135-101 victory (box score). Houston (15-41) remains in last place in the West.
Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 30 points and 7 assists on 9-of-15 shooting (60.0%), including 5-of-9 on 3-pointers (55.6%). Bojan Bogdanovic added 22 points and hit 4-of-7 from 3-point range (57.1%).
Second-year forward KJ Martin led the Rockets with an energetic showing off the bench, recording 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting (66.7%) in 26 minutes, including 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%). Eric Gordon and Jae’Sean Tate added 14 points apiece, while Kevin Porter Jr. struggled with his shot but dished out 8 assists without turning the ball over.
Newcomer Dennis Schroder dished out 5 assists in 18 minutes during his Houston debut, but he didn’t have the touch on his jumper or floater, scoring just 4 points on 2-of-6 shooting (33.3%).
Christian Wood added 12 points (55.6% FG, 50.0% on 3-pointers), 4 assists, and a team-high 9 rebounds, while rookie Jalen Green scored 13 points. No Houston player broke the 30-minute mark due to the lopsided score, with Utah dishing out 34 assists versus an uninspired defense.
Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction from Monday in Utah.
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