2018 PLAYOFFS: (1) Houston vs. (5) Utah

Well, the 4 seed curse continues, as the Utah Jazz become the seventh straight Western Conference 5 seed to advance to the second round. They have to fire Billy Donovan, right?!

Anyway, the Jazz are taking on the Rockets in the conference semis. The Beard vs. the Rook... Should be a good series. I'm not totally sold on Houston, but they had the Jazz's number in the regular season, and with Rubio questionable, are clear favorites. Still, I think it should be competitive. Give me Rockets in 6!

Rockets in a tough 5. I'm still not sold on the Jazz at this high of a level.

Gobert won't be much of a factor with all them 3s. Rockets take this easily

Mitchell goes off. Jazz can make a surprise.

Gobert's rim protection is A++. I'm intrigued to see if he can scare Harden away from rim attacking as he did against Westbrook.

Houston in 6!

Rockets in five for me as well.

Capela gonna clamp down on Gobert like he did with Towns.

Rockets in 5 with the singlee Jazz win courtesy of Mitchell going nuts and/or Paul/Harden having an off day again.

I won't be surprised if the rockets win. Won't be shocked if the jazz win

Tough series to predict, but I just don't see the Jazz beating Houston in Houston.

I'm going with Houston in 6. I think Gobert gets taken out of his game a bit with the barrage of threes Houston puts on them. I'd love to see Mitchell have a great series again, who on the Rockets will really lock him down? I think he will get his.

Intriguing series, I love this series and the NO vs GS one. I don't think either series us a guarantee for Houston or GS.

Given the fact that NBA pushes Donovan Mitchell, I'm sure that he will have at least 2 games with +30 points.

Given the fact that NBA pushes Donovan Mitchell, I'm sure that he will have at least 2 games with +30 points.

I thought about that as well, just like they are pushing Ben Simmons.

Not to take away from Mitchell, because he's going to be a hell of a player for a long time.

I'd love to see Mitchell have a great series again, who on the Rockets will really lock him down? I think he will get his.

Probably Ariza will be the main man on him defensively.

I'd love to see Mitchell have a great series again, who on the Rockets will really lock him down? I think he will get his.

Probably Ariza will be the main man on him defensively.

Ariza is a solid defender, but I don't see him being able to match Mitchells speed and intensity.

Pretty much the story of outstanding sword easily striking through the formidable shields.

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Small ball killing traditional big?

Rockets in 5 with Rubio out

whats a coach nick vid without sneaking in some kind of plug.

i think really the issue is harden impeccable iso scoring and favors inability to switch on smalls. i say the jazz just have to let tucker bury that 3 for the series.

Impressive. No Rubio no problem.

It's quite impressive. A lot of people wrote off the Jazz after losing Gordon Hayward to the Dirtics but they're achieving more with less.

Might have to sharpen that outstanding sword, huh?

Joe Ingles.

Don’t see this D’Antoni team playing better defense than his past teams like airgordon? mentioned.
Only difference now is he got better individuals that are good on D instead of having better team defense. If in Phoenix he had Raja Bell and Shawn Marion as the only good players on D, now he has a rim/post protector in Capela, Ariza, and even Chris Paul. It’s more on the players that already know how to play good D rather than D’Antoni coaching them to play great D.

Joe Ingles.

It was nice to see Dante Exum playing a role as well. Hopefully his injury problems are behind him.

Here's hoping. He's had some terrible luck early on his career.

Damn Aussies only naming their own players. Any love for Crowder and Burks?

Don’t see this D’Antoni team playing better defense than his past teams like airgordon? mentioned.
Only difference now is he got better individuals that are good on D instead of having better team defense. If in Phoenix he had Raja Bell and Shawn Marion as the only good players on D, now he has a rim/post protector in Capela, Ariza, and even Chris Paul. It’s more on the players that already know how to play good D rather than D’Antoni coaching them to play great D.

that's a fair call. i don't feel like cuing up the old suns games on the youtube to compare but iirc this rockets team does a lot of switching. a crappy outside shooting/poor post passing unit like the thibs wolves make the houston d look like gangbusters

thought utah hit a fair share of open 3's as well as contested ones. gotta love that 3pt shot

curious to hear coach nick's game 2 breakdown

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