Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 2/22/25, 4:14 AM  by Erik Gibbs | Modified on 2/22/25 at 4:20 AM in NBA Picks

The Utah Jazz will face off against the Houston Rockets in a Western Conference regular season showdown, marking their first meeting of the 2024-25 NBA season. Historically, these teams have been evenly matched in recent years, splitting their last ten encounters. However, their current standings tell a different story. The Jazz, struggling through a difficult season, have fallen to the 14th spot in the Western Conference, while the Rockets have positioned themselves as a top-tier team, currently sitting in fourth place.

Utah enters this game following a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, where Kyle Flipowski delivered a solid performance with 20 points and 10 rebounds. That defeat was their fourth in the last five games, contributing to a dismal 3-13 record since mid-January. Their struggles can be attributed in part to their turnover issues, as they lead the league with 17.6 turnovers per game. Additionally, defensive woes have plagued them all season, as they allow an average of 119.4 points per game, ranking among the worst in the league. Despite these struggles, the Jazz’s front office may not be overly concerned, as their long-term goal appears to be securing a high draft pick in 2025.

The Rockets, on the other hand, are coming into this matchup following a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves the previous night. Before the All-Star break, they suffered a seven-point loss to the Golden State Warriors, marking one of seven losses in their last nine games. Their offensive production has dipped in this stretch, averaging just 106.9 points per game compared to their season average of 112.7. However, their dominance on the glass remains a bright spot, leading the league with 15.8 offensive rebounds per game during this span.