The Rockets face an elimination game tonight at home against the Utah Jazz. Following a season that included a 22 game winning streak, it all comes down to a win-or-go-home game and a mandatory 3 game winning streak for the team in red.
The Jazz have used their trademark Jerry Sloan physicality to literally push the Rockets into this tough position. This physical play has gotten into the heads of the Houston players, coaches and fans to the point where it is nearly all they are talking about. Rick Adelman even mentioned the possibility of sending tape to the league offices for review, can you imagine Jerry Sloan ever saying, let alone doing, such a thing?
Entering the playoffs, the Jazz were the team the Rockets seemingly wanted. A poll on ClutchFans showed the Jazz (38.1%) as the opponent that Rockets fans would pick to face out of the Wests’ top six prior to the seedings shaking out. Revenge, hatred and perceived path of least resistance were all likely factors.
They faced Utah last year and complained about the physical play, what did they expect when hoping for this matchup this year? The Jazz have won three straight playoff games in Houston and three straight playoff series against them as well (1997, 1998, 2007). If the Jazz push Houston around again in Game 5, the Jazz will be leaving Houston tonight with eyes on a grander prize while the Rockets face a summer of fishing, memories of a 22 game winning streak, and time spent editing videos to send to David Stern.
(AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)
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