Rockets Crush Utah, D’Antoni Says Harden is a “Machine”

The Houston Rockets took a 2-0 lead in the series against the Utah Jazz, after last night’s win at Toyota Center, 118-98. Mike D’Antoni’s crew repeated their dominant performance from Game 1 and annihilated Jazzers.

After a blowout in the first contest, another disaster was on the way for the guests from Salt Lake City, but the Rockets decided to preserve strength, and decreased the tempo in the final 12 minutes.

It was apparent right from the start that the hosts hold everything in their hands. They quickly created a 27-9 lead which was a result of their 12-0 run that blasted Utah in less than two minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MQf9jALKpc

The first period ended 39-19 for the home team, who was outstanding in every aspect of the game. They were 6 of 13 from behind the arc, 5 of 8 for two, and missed only one of their 12 free throw attempts. To cut it short, they held a basketball clinic to the fifth-seeded team in the West.

James Harden had 17 of his 32 points during the first 12 minutes, and was unstoppable. Until the end of the first half, the Beard poured 25 points. It was tough being Ricky Rubio in the past few days, as the Spanish guard experienced what is like guarding the reigning MVP at his best.

“He has a lot of weapons,” Rubio said. “He can read the game really well, and we gave him different looks from Game 1, but still, it’s hard.”

Harden ended the game with a triple-double, 32 points, 13 boards, and 10 dishes.

The Rockets kept pounding in the same rhythm during the second quarter and went to the break with a 70-44 lead, pretty much sealing this event. Everything kept on in the same manner during the third sequence, and at the end of the same Houston had the largest lead of the game, 95-67.

Coach Mike D’Antoni decided to rest some player in the final quarter, among them Harden, and keep them fresh for Game 3. Utah used that and decreased the gap a little bit, making this defeat easier comparing to the one three days ago. Rockets’ coach was very pleased with the way his whole team played, especially Harden.

“He’s a machine. He scores,” said D’Antoni about the reigning MVP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip8n4ybVKAw

Besides the reigning MVP, Houston had several more players who helped him. Chris Paul had 17 points, while PJ Tucker and Eric Gordon scored 16 each, combining for 7 threes in the first half.

When asked after the game was he inspired with the “MVP” chants from the stands, Harden replied negative, and added that he played the game with the same intensity for the last five years. His focus was primarily on the game.

The Beard dedicated more time explaining that the Rockets have to be at their best in Utah because he believes that the Jazzers are going to play much better at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

“Obviously, they’ve got a different kind of swag at home… We all know how tough it is to win in Utah, we’ve done it last year,” adding that at some point, Utah will find the rhythm. “They didn’t shoot the ball well from three tonight, but you know, they’ll make some of those at home.”

The Jazzers had another awful shooting night in Texas. They were 39 of 98 from the field, 8 of 38 for three. Even though they had more rebounds (48-46), assists (27-17), and fewer number of turnovers (12-18), they couldn’t capitalize anything from it because of poor execution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcIF5TBPnsw

Donovan Mitchell was once again under his usual level.
Utah sophomore scored just 11 points, with a terrible shooting stats, 5 of 19 from the field and 1 of 8 for three.

“We didn’t show up,” Mitchell said. “Simply put. And that can’t happen.”

Rubio who guarded Harden was guests’ best scorer with 17 buckets, along with Royce O’Neal who added the same number of points of the bench.

Game 3 starts at 9:30 pm ET on Friday.