2019 Playoffs: (4) Houston vs. (5) Utah

Probably the best series of the first round. After choking against the Thunder the other day, combined with a bunch of other things falling into place (Anfernee Simons?!?!), the Rockets end up with the 4 seed. While the Jazz might be a better match-up for them than OKC, Utah is still a very tough out.

I don't really see where Utah has the advantage though. The Rockets are simply more talented, and I think they prevail in 6 games.

I want to pick Jazz, but Harden in 7

Gobert can't block all the way from the post to the three point line. Donovan Mitchell will always get his, the Jazz fate depend on a healthy Rubio and Joe Ingles playing out of his mind.

The only thing Utah has going for them is the coincidental fact that 5 seeds have advanced to the second round the last seven times in the West. I'll stop bringing that up if/when Houston knocks them out. It's pretty bad luck that they ended up drawing Houston instead of Portland or Denver, who they probably would have been favored against.

The Rockets crushed them last year, and I'm not really sure why this time should be different. Houston has more or less returned to form after a shaky start, while the Jazz are essentially running it back this season. Perhaps we will truly see Rubio's value in this series.

or rubio's anti value/ jazz lack of 3pt shooting. i like that favors guy

Harden will singlehandedly outscore the Jazz team for the series

Had to vote for the joke option in the poll, but nevertheless, Harden's offensive onslaught should continue through the first round. I'll say it'll be enough to down the Jazz in five games, before he stumbles into a horrible shooting performance en route to a second round exit.