The Houston Rockets are a problem. Fred VanVleet and company will look to keep their hot streak going when they host the floundering Utah Jazz at home again this Sunday. Will the Rockets slap another L on Utah’s record? Or, will the Jazz even things up between them and Houston this season?

Catch this game live on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 8:00 AM, Manila time

Away: Utah Jazz (29-41/9-26 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• Keyonte George
• Kris Dunn
• Brice Sensabaugh
• Taylor Hendricks
• John Collins (Questionable)

The dream of making it to at least the Play-in Tournament is slipping further and further away for the Jazz, who just couldn’t make sweet music lately. Utah has not been hitting the note, having lost all of their last four games, including Friday’s 113-97 debacle on the road against the Dallas Mavericks. 

Absences from their key players due to injuries have seriously slowed down Utah, with Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Lauri Markkanen missing time. All three could be out again this Sunday, with Markkanen already ruled out for the Houston game. Over their last four games, the Jazz averaged just 102.0 points, way fewer than their season average of 116.8. They have also allowed 116.3 points in that same span, which is better than their season average in that area of 120.5 points. 

Utah, which lost in Houston last January (126-126 OT), is 6-3-1 against the spread in the last 10 times it visited the Rockets, dating back to 2017.

Home: Houston Rockets (34-35/24-11  Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• Fred VanVleet
• Jalen Green
• Amen Thompson
• Dillon Brooks
• Jabari Smith Jr.

The Rockets are moving in the complete opposite direction of Utah’s. Houston is on an absolute tear, as the Rockets have gone undefeated in their last seven outings. However, three of those victories were against the Washington Wizards and the San Antonio Spurs – two teams who are diving straight into the lottery. 

Then again, Houston also defeated the Sacramento Kings and the Cleveland Cavaliers in that same stretch and had just taken down the Chicago Bulls last Friday at home, 127-117. Houston’s offense is clicking, with Jalen Green going off of late. Green is putting up an efficient 27.6 points per game average in the Rockets’ win streak while shooting 50 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from deep. Even without Alperen Sengun this time around against the Jazz, Houston should be able to take advantage of an undermanned Utah squad that has a leaky defense. 

On the season, the Rockets are 21-11-1 ATS in games played after a victory.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Rockets (-10) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (226.5) hits the Over.