(Sports Network) - The Houston Rockets appear to have righted the ship since
their seven-game losing streak and look to keep it going Monday against the
Utah Jazz in the opener of a quick road trip.
The Rockets have won two in a row and three of four games after a lengthy
slide and are coming off Saturday's 119-106 home win over the Brooklyn Nets.
James Harden had 29 points and seven assists, while Omer Asik added 20 points
and 16 rebounds for the Rockets, who have won 12 in a row against the Nets.
"I think everybody did a good job of rebounding," Harden said. "Every guy that
stepped on the court got out in transition and got some easy layups and got
some 3-balls and just played our game, our brand of basketball."
Jeremy Lin tallied 14 points and nine rebounds, and Chandler Parsons
registered 16 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in the win.
Houston, which is second in the NBA with 104.4 ppg, has won two straight on
the road, but is 9-14 away from Space City this season. It will also visit
Denver on this brief road swing.
Meanwhile, the Jazz will resume a four-game homestand Monday and bounced back
into the win column with Saturday's 114-110 overtime triumph versus Indiana.
Al Jefferson scored 25 points and Paul Millsap added 21, including two foul
shots in the waning moments on a controversial call. Millsap appeared to have
thrown an inbounds pass off the backboard late in the game and caught the
rebound before he was fouled, sinking both free throws.
The officials reviewed the play and said Millsap's pass was in bounds.
"It's another win. The guys, I thought, after last night showed a lot of poise
to come in and play against a physical team like these guys," said Jazz coach
Tyrone Corbin. "The fight that these guys have shown all year and continue to
show is encouraging."
Corbin's squad, which is unbeaten in the last six home games, had a four-game
winning streak stopped with Friday's 102-84 road loss against the Los Angeles
Lakers.
The Jazz are 15-4 in Salt Lake City this season and will also host New Orleans
and Portland on the homestand. Jazz guard Gordon Hayward, who had 15 points
and six assists versus Indiana, is questionable Monday with a right shoulder
problem. He is averaging 13.5 ppg this season and 14.5 ppg in the past 12.
Jefferson has averages of 18.1 points and 9.2 rebounds in the past 10 games,
recording six double-doubles in that time.
Utah and Houston have split two meetings already this season, with each team
prevailing as the host. The Rockets have dropped two straight, six of eight
and 24 of their past 29 visits to Salt Lake City.
The Sports Network