New #Rockets at #TXSN - Houston Rockets guards stand tall in road win ift.tt/37QOr5d

Rockets moved to 9-0 when hitting at least 20 3s, which is remarkable because that means they have had nine games in which they hit at least 20 3s, including the past two.

Westbrook: "We gave them one in Houston, obviously. This was for the tiebreaker. We came in with the right mindset and got a big win. We know that we’re the only team that’s in our way, and every night we’ve got to take the challenge of being the best team in the league."

Russell Westbrook, James Harden power Rockets past Jazz ift.tt/39Uf9LC

Rockets since the All-Star break:

Offensive RTG: 126.2
Defensive RTG: 107.0
Net RTG: +19.3
houston.sportsmap.com/the-rockets-re…

And the equally entertaining entrance for Wilder (@BronzeBomber) #WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/XNESCKINvL

Westbrook on the cumulative effect of Gobert and the Jazz trying to keep up with him: "It's very huge. It tires them out. I'm pretty sure he's not used to running up and down the court like that." Westbrook was wearing a Springsteen concert T so you can add your own punch line.

Live look at #NBATwitter deleting those tweets mocking the Rockets for starting a 6-foot-5 center. pic.twitter.com/F2xMmeB21q

James Harden on what about Russell Westbrook complements him: "We're just dogs. We're aggressive at all times. No matter how great things are going, no matter how bad things are going. We're two confident guys that love to push our teammates and we're doing that." #Rockets

FINAL: Rockets 120, Jazz 110. Huge win as Houston earns tiebreaker over Utah, and these two teams are tied (36-20). Harden, Westbrook terrorized the Jazz, combining for 72 points on 27-49 FG. The Jazz? They're gonna need a bigger center.

Robert Covington has been incredible as a weak-side rim-protector. He’s always in position, and even if he cheats on help, his length allows him to recover

Ex: there was a defensive miscommunication on the slip, Covington rotates on time & blocks Gobert. pic.twitter.com/MCSvH54ri2

#Rockets get the big win at Utah, 120-110. Houston wins the season series, 2-1, both teams now 36-20. Harden with 38 pts, Westbrook with 34 pts.

The Houston Rockets have climbed to the 4th seed in the Western Conference.

Houston is now 8-2 in the micro-ball era.

Angry bird pic.twitter.com/XDiHSAjzwv

Harden and Westbrook have combined for 70 after Harden's sixth 3-pointer gives the Rockets a 10-point lead, 2:09 left. Jazz take their final time out.

Harden pulls up from 28 and sticks it in Joe Ingles' eye. Rockets up by 10, 2:09 left.

James Harden and Russell Westbrook tonight:

67 points
11 rebounds
10 assists
4 steals

26-47 from the field
8-11 from the FT line
7-15 from 3-PT range

Fans booing like crazy while Gobert raises his hand to acknowledge the foul.

Covington with his third blocked shot on Gobert at the rim (where else.)

Mitchell with nine points in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter. Rockets incensed with offensive foul falls on consecutive possessions. Lead down to nine.

These refs lmao

Here come the fouls.

Mitchell heating up, lead down to 11, Harden and Tucker back in.

Russ has a legit argument this time. Bogdanovic threw an elbow at him in transition.

This time, Westbrook has a point. Bogdanovic sent an elbow.

Great 3rdQ for #Rockets (outscore Jazz 38-19) to take a 100-85 lead to 4thQ. In the 3rd quarter:
Hou: 16-26 FG, 6-14 on 3's, 0 TO
Uta: 6-19 FG, 1-7 on 3's, 5 TO

Rockets 100, Jazz 85. Rockets with a tremendous quarter by adding defense to the offensive execution that has been there all night. Bookend 14-3 runs in the quarter against a team tied for fourth in net rating in the third quarter this season.

D'Antoni has made an adjustment in the 2nd half with Russell Westbrook and the second-unit. #Rockets going with four ballhandlers and Jeff Green, instead of Westbrook, three wings and another ballhandler. A lot more space for Westbrook to operate, and Gordon able to complement.

Robert Covington's jumpshot is so pure.

Westbrook with a lob dunk and a few comments for the fans in that corner.

Oh my goodness. That Harden to Westbrook alleyoop was crazy!

The #Rockets weak-side rotations have been excellent to start the 3Q. That was the biggest problem in the first half when a defender lost contain on the perimeter. Pay attention to Russell Westbrook splitting the difference on the weak-side with Covington helping. pic.twitter.com/SMVKYcScWn

Harden 4 of 5 on 3s, 4 of 7 on free throws. Rockets will take that deal. He has 26 points. Rockets have outscored the Jazz by 21 when he's on the court.

Jazz 66, Rockets 62 at half. Rockets 10 of 23 on 3s and have missed some great looks. But Jazz with 40 points in the paint. Harden with 21-4-4, but just 4 of 7 from the line.

Yeah, those free throws may come back to haunt Harden tonight.

Rockets give up rim protection with no center, an even greater issue when getting whipped off the dribble as they are tonight. Usually have made up for some of that by forcing most TOs in the league since going small. Jazz, however, have committed just 3 with 2:22 left in half.

Jordan Clarkson has 46 points on 19-28 shooting in his last 6 quarters against the Rockets (9 minutes remaining).

When clarkson sees House pic.twitter.com/3WmU3oBpK9

Jazz have outscored the Rockets 22-8 in Harden's five minutes on the bench. He returns with 9:05 left in the second quarter.

Jazz throwing a 2-3 zone at the #Rockets second-unit.

It's so random that Jordan Clarkson goes off against the Rockets and Eric Gordon does the same against the Jazz.

New #Rockets at #TXSN - Eric Gordon returns, comes off bench in latest Rockets lineup change ift.tt/2SRogae

New #Rockets at #TXSN - ‘Small’ Rockets are growing up ift.tt/2HJkQ37

New #Rockets at #TXSN - Well-traveled Jeff Green jumps in quickly with Rockets ift.tt/2T8nQuV

Jazz open the second quarter in a zone. Rockets 2 of 7 with two turnovers since Harden sat with Jazz on a 13-4 run.

Yo no lie what DWade said to Gabrielle Union just now was really reaalllly emotional

Rockets 38, Jazz 36 after 1. Quarter ends with Clarkson going from inbounds to layup in 5.8 seconds. Rockets 8 of 11 on 3s. Harden with 12-3-3. Jazz 22 (!) points in the paint.

Jazz on 8-2 run since Harden sat. Rockets defense has been pretty terrible tonight. Jazz shooting 63.2 percent. Rockets giving up drive after drive, as with previous game against the Jazz.

Two things when you play this small:

1 - Point of attack defense has to be strong. Help defense is good, but there's nothing like 7 footer at the rim to bail you out.

2 - Have to limit the fouls. It's tempting to be over aggressive when the guy has 4+ inches on you.

Rockets hit 8 of their first 9 3s. As discussed this morning houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… they have gotten very good at getting open looks from deep, though they don't often hit 89 % of their 3s.