Gobert and the Jazz visit Houston to begin playoff series
By The Associated Press
Utah Jazz (50-32, fifth in the Western Conference during the regular season) vs. Houston Rockets (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference during the regular season)
Houston; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Houston hosts first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Rockets host the Utah Jazz in game one of the Western Conference first round.
The Rockets are 31-10 on their home court. Houston averages 42.1 rebounds per game and is 25-2 when winning the rebound battle.
The Jazz are 21-20 on the road. Utah is fourth in the NBA allowing 106.5 points and holding opponents to 45.2 percent shooting. The teams meet Sunday for the fifth time this season. Houston and Utah tied the regular season series 2-2.
TOP PERFORMERS: Chris Paul leads the Rockets with 8.2 assists and scores 15.6 points per game. Clint Capela has averaged 14 rebounds and added 15.6 points per game over the last 10 games for Houston.
Rudy Gobert has shot 66.9 percent and is averaging 15.9 points for the Jazz. Joe Ingles has averaged 3.2 made 3-pointers and scored 14.2 points over the last 10 games for Utah.
LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 8-2, averaging 119.4 points, 47.7 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 7.1 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106 points on 44.0 percent shooting.
Rockets: 8-2, averaging 119.4 points, 46.1 rebounds, 22.4 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.1 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 102.5 points on 43.7 percent shooting.
Rockets Injuries: None listed.
Jazz Injuries: Kyle Korver: out (knee), Raul Neto: out (left ankle soreness), Dante Exum: out (right knee pain), Ricky Rubio: out (left quad contusion), Derrick Favors: out (rest), Donovan Mitchell: out (back).
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by HERO Sports, and data from Sportradar.
Copyright 2019 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.