Houston Rockets (47-26, second in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (16-57, 15th in the Western Conference)
Salt Lake City; Thursday, 9 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Houston visits Utah trying to prolong its three-game road winning streak.
The Jazz are 7-39 in conference matchups. Utah ranks sixth in the Western Conference with 11.9 offensive rebounds per game led by Walker Kessler averaging 4.6.
The Rockets are 26-17 against Western Conference opponents. Houston is 21-9 in games decided by 10 points or more.
The Jazz average 13.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.8 more made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Rockets give up. The Jazz average 113.6 points per game, 6.5 fewer points than the 120.1 the Jazz allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kessler is averaging 11.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for the Jazz. Collin Sexton is averaging 14.1 points over the last 10 games.
Alperen Sengun is averaging 19 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Rockets. Dillon Brooks is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 1-9, averaging 108.3 points, 43.9 rebounds, 24.7 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.0 points per game.
Rockets: 9-1, averaging 119.8 points, 51.6 rebounds, 23.7 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.8 points.
INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (illness), John Collins: out (ankle), Taylor Hendricks: out for season (fibula), Jordan Clarkson: out (foot).
Rockets: Amen Thompson: day to day (ankle), Reed Sheppard: out (thumb).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
