http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Preview-Rockets-vs-Jazz-12437456.php
Preview: Rockets vs. Jazz
Updated 6:47 pm, Sunday, December 17, 2017
James Harden and the Rockets' 24-4 start is tied for the best 28-game start in franchise history. They go for their third victory over Utah Monday night.
James Harden and the Rockets' 24-4 start is tied for the best 28-game start in franchise history. They go for their third victory over Utah Monday night.
Houston Rockets guard James Harden looks on in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets guard James Harden looks on in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors, right, shoots as Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
lessUtah Jazz forward Derrick Favors, right, shoots as Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick
... moreUtah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) drives around Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) drives around Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni reacts in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni reacts in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) brings the ball up court in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) brings the ball up court in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) shoots as Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) defends in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) shoots as Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) defends in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) shoots as Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) defends in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) shoots as Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) defends in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni makes his case to the officials during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
lessHouston Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni makes his case to the officials during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick
... moreUtah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) lays the ball up as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and forward Trevor Ariza, right, defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
lessUtah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) lays the ball up as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and forward Trevor Ariza, right, defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017,
... moreUtah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes to the basket as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
lessUtah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes to the basket as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP
... moreHouston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) reacts after fouling Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) reacts after fouling Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets guard James Harden arrives at the Vivint Smart Home Arena before the start of their NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets guard James Harden arrives at the Vivint Smart Home Arena before the start of their NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) and Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) reach for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) and Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) reach for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) catches as pass as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends during the first half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
lessUtah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) catches as pass as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends during the first half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick
... moreHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) lays the ball up during the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) lays the ball up during the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha (22) shoots as Houston Rockets forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
lessUtah Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha (22) shoots as Houston Rockets forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP
... moreUtah Jazz center Rudy Gobert arrives at the Vivint Smart Home Arena before the start of their NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert arrives at the Vivint Smart Home Arena before the start of their NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks, right, shoots as Houston Rockets forward Tarik Black, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks, right, shoots as Houston Rockets forward Tarik Black, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) brings the ball up as Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, rear, follows during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) brings the ball up as Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, rear, follows during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP
... moreHouston Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni shouts to his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni shouts to his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston Rockets guard James Harden looks at the scoreboard as he sits on the bench in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden looks at the scoreboard as he sits on the bench in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) goes to the basket as Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) goes to the basket as Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden, left, goes to the basket as Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden, left, goes to the basket as Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP
... moreWhen/where: 7 p.m. Monday/Toyota Center
TV/radio: AT&T SportsNet/790-AM; Spanish: 850 AM/101.7
IN BRIEF:
Rockets
The Rockets won the first two meetings of the teams, averaging 124.5 points per game ... The Rockets' 13-game winning streak is tied for the fourth-longest in franchise history. At 24-4 they have matched the 1993-94 team for the franchise's best record through 28 games. The Rockets have won 19 of 20 games ... James Harden (bruised right knee) said he intends to play, though he expects to still be in pain. In two games against the Jazz this season, he is averaging 42.5 points on 61.4 percent shooting, 55 percent 3-point shooting ... Trevor Ariza's field goal percentage (42.9), 3-point percentage (38.4) and free throw percentage (90.3) are all his best in his four seasons since his return to the Rockets ... Center Clint Capela (bruised right heel) will be a game-time decision. Forward Luc Mbah a Moute (dislocated shoulder) is out.
Jazz
The Jazz have lost five of their past six games, but the win was in Boston ... The Jazz are 3-10 on the road, 1-5 against Western Conference teams... The Jazz and Rockets are tied in defensive rating, ranking sixth in the NBA ... Rookie guard Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz's leading scorer with an average of 17.8 points per game (19.5 as a starter), has averaged 21.5 points in 30 minutes against the Rockets ... Forward Joe Ingles is making 46.4 percent of his 3-poitners, making 4 of 10 against the Rockets this season ... Guard Alec Burks is third in bench scoring (with a minimum of four games) in December, trailing Lou Williams and Eric Gordon ... Guard Joe Johnson, seventh among active players in career scoring, returned Friday after missing 20 games with a wrist injury ... Center Rudy Gobert (knee), guard Raul Neto and guard Dante Exum (knee)are out. Forward/center Derrick Favors (concussion, laceration) is questionable.
Statistically speaking
5 – consecutive games scoring at least 20 points by Chris Paul, his longest single-season streak since he scored 20 in the first six games of the 2009-10 season.
