The veteran-laden Utah Jazz were the superior team on paper and ultimately got a close win in Houston, but there was a lot to like on Wednesday at Toyota Center for the young and rebuilding Rockets.
Rookie guard Jalen Green had one of the best games of his young NBA career with 27 points and 4 assists on 11-of-16 shooting (68.8%), including 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%), while big man Christian Wood had 24 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Wood shot 8-of-13 overall (61.5%) and 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%), including a tying 3-pointer at the buzzer of regulation to send the game to overtime.
In the end, led by 37 points and 10 assists from All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz pulled away in overtime for the 132-127 win (box score). Rudy Gobert had 27 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while veteran guard Mike Conley had 15 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals — including three big 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter and in OT.
Mike Conley had 3 points through the first 47:51 of this game.
He has 9 points since then.
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) March 3, 2022
Second-year forward KJ Martin added 20 points and 7 rebounds off the Houston bench on 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%) and 4-of-8 from 3-point range (50.0%), while starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sprained left ankle and had 16 points and a game-high 12 assists. It wasn’t enough for a win, of course, but it made for one of Houston’s most memorable games of the 2021-22 season and left them with clear hope that better days are ahead.
For now, though, Houston (15-47) continues to own the worst record in the Western Conference. They have now lost 11 straight games, which is their second-longest skid this season. Meanwhile, the Jazz (39-22) have won nine of 10 and are building on their lead for the No. 4 spot in the West playoff race. Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction.
