James Harden

Game 04 Takeaways – Utah Jazz @ Houston Rockets

Utah Jazz Steal One on the Road as Mitchell Finally Breaks Out

The Utah Jazz began a four-game road trip yesterday against the Houston Rockets. The game is the first since Utah lost to Memphis at home earlier this week.

Many were wondering how this game would go following the Memphis debacle. Would the Jazz figure out their offensive woes? Did Donovan forget how to play basketball? Would the Jazz ever win again?!

Luckily, Chris Paul was suspended for a recent altercation between Houston and Los Angeles (I’m sure you heard…) and James Harden left in the fourth quarter with a hamstring issue.

The Utah Jazz were able to leave Houston with an important 100-89 win over the Rockets.

Now I’m not saying those two factors were the ENTIRE reason the Jazz won, but it definitely helped. #OntoTheNextOne

Watch the video below to see full Utah Jazz @ Houston Rockets game highlights:

Game 04 Takeaways – Utah Jazz @ Houston Rockets

Quick Notes

#1 | Donovan Finally Wakes Up

One of the things I was most looking forward to seeing this season was how Donovan Mitchell would perform after all the pressure that came with his incredible rookie year.

While I expected there to be some setbacks, the first few games of the year had me sweating a little bit about the amount of pressure we were putting on Donovan.

Fortunately, any question I had about the sophomore was put to rest last night as he went off for 38 points against Houston.

After the game, Donovan explained some of the issues he’s been dealing with going into his second year.

“The past few games, I’d been struggling because I’d been kind of pressing the issue,” Mitchell said. “I came into [Wednesday’s game] with the mindset of just finding the open guy. That was really my biggest thing. Last year in the playoffs, there were games where I got too deep or too whatever, just kind of not making the right plays. To me, just being able to make the right reads early just allowed me to settle down and relax a little bit.

“I always put pressure on myself, whether it was last year at the beginning of the year or whatever, just to be perfect. Obviously, that’s impossible.”

We should all have the same attitude about this team.

Instead of incredibly high expectations, we should realize the game itself isn’t perfect, and neither will our team be.

Enjoy the ride people. It will be over before we know it!

#2 | How Much Did We Need This?

After attending Monday’s loss to Memphis at home, I personally needed this win more than most.

As a fan base, I don’t know that anyone was TOO concerned with some of the results we’d seen through the first week of regular season basketball.

However, I think there was a growing anxiety over the individual play of certain Jazz men.

It was good to see this type of win on the road at this moment in the season. I think it really helped the fan base get back on track in terms of supporting our team.

Now let’s keep it going!

#3 | …It’s More of a One-Headed Monster

Chris Paul was sitting out after last weekend’s altercation with Rajon Rondo and the Los Angeles Lakers.

James Harden, who was having a great game (as always), left the game with a hamstring issue in the fourth quarter.

Basically all the Jazz had left to deal with was… Carmelo Anthony?

What I’m trying to say is that I’m not actually sure how much of a test this game was. A healthy Houston team could be a whole different monster.

#4 | Tricky (to talk about) Ricky

Let me start this out by saying that I very much like Ricky Rubio on the Jazz and think he fits in very well.

But I can’t be the only one to see that he’s having some serious struggles to start off the year, right?

This time last season, I remember having similar thoughts. In fact, there was a time I even thought he’d be a good trade piece.

Is Ricky Rubio just going through the same stuff he was last year?

Will we see the return to normal?

I hope we find out sooner rather than later.

#5 | Rookies, Am I Right?

Grayson Allen is not afraid to shoot.

The dude has been in for single-digit minutes over the entire year combined. But last night, I watched him enter the game, shoot two threes and walk right back to the bench.

Is no hesitation a good or bad sign?

Game 04 Takeaways – Utah Jazz @ Houston Rockets

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