Saturday’s blowout loss in Milwaukee felt like something of a schedule loss for the young Houston Rockets, who were on their third game in three cities in four nights — and on night two of a split back-to-back. They were also playing a bonafide championship contender. On Monday, the tables are turned, and that might give the home team a chance to get its first win of the 2022-23 NBA regular season.
Yet, it certainly shouldn’t be taken as a given. Though the Utah Jazz were viewed by most around the league as a rebuilding team entering the season, they’re now 3-0 after wins over Denver, Minnesota, and New Orleans to open their season. The latter came Sunday night, with former Rockets forward Kelly Olynyk hitting a game-winner.
Perhaps the biggest variable for the Rockets could be prized rookie Jabari Smith Jr., who is shooting just 30.4% overall and 30.8% on 3-pointers over his first three career games. While he’s averaging a respectable 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, better efficiency would be very helpful versus a Utah side that starts a reliable veteran duo — Olynyk and Lauri Markkanen — at the forward spots.
KELLY OLYNYK CALLED GAME. THE JAZZ WIN IT IN OVERTIME pic.twitter.com/zwmMIbpg02
— NBA (@NBA) October 24, 2022
When and How to Watch
- Date: Monday, Oct. 24
- Time: 7:00 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (0-3)
- Guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Eric Gordon
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Usman Garuba
Utah Jazz (3-0)
- Guard: Mike Conley
- Guard: Jordan Clarkson
- Forward: Lauri Markkanen
- Forward: Kelly Olynyk
- Center: Jarred Vanderbilt
Both lineups are based on each team’s latest game notes. It’s at least possible that Jazz head coach Will Hardy could rest a veteran or two, since it will be night two of a road back-to-back.
Injury reports
Houston’s latest injury report continues to list Jae’Sean Tate (left ankle soreness) and TyTy Washington (left knee sprain) as out, which they have been for the entirety of the 2022-23 regular season to this point. Bruno Fernando (left knee soreness) is out, as well.
Utah will not issue an official injury report for Monday’s game until just a few hours before tipoff, since they played the front end on Sunday night in New Orleans. In that game, the Jazz listed Udoka Azubuike as as their only absence (right ankle surgery).
