The Houston Rockets are traveling to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah to face the Utah Jazz. Houston is 37-35 this season and sits 11th in the Western Conference. Utah is 12th in the Western Conference with a record of 29-44. Houston has won both of their meetings against the Utah Jazz so far this season. The game is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. EST.

Utah’s Lack of Defending

The Utah Jazz are coming off another loss on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs with a final score of 111-118. This would be the seventh loss in a row for the Jazz as they wrap up their three game home stand Friday against the Raptors.

The Utah Jazz continue to struggle on defense as they rank third to last in the NBA in points allowed per game, allowing an average of 120.8 points against per game. The Jazz are allowing most of their points at the three point line where they rank last in three pointers made against them. This is mainly due to the Jazz allowing their opponents to make quality shots at the line. Utah is last in opponent three point shooting percentage and 27th overall in three pointer attempts allowed per game. On offense the Jazz are averaging 116.5 points per game.

Lauri Markkanen is listed as questionable Friday due to a quadricep injury and Jordan Clarkson is listed out due to a back injury. Markkanen averages 23.2 points per game for the Jazz while Clarkson is averaging 17.1 points per game.

Houston’s Aim For The Post Season

The Houston Rockets are coming off another win on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a final score of 132-126 as they head to Utah to face the Jazz. With their win against the Thunder, the Houston Rockets are now on a ten game win streak and place themselves that much closer to a shot at the post season as they are now only one position away from a play in spot.

Houston this season has played well defensively and that has shown in their recent wins. This season Houston ranks tenth overall in points allowed, allowing an average of 112.6 points against per game. The defense of the Rockets is mainly attested to their ability of shutting down their opponents’ quality of shot. Houston ranks second overall in opponent shooting percentage at the three point line as well as sixth overall in opponent field goal shooting percentage. On offense the Rockets are averaging 114.4 points per game.