Houston's Weekend Planning Guide

     This first round game of the Rockets with the Utah Jazz, it may end up a good series. Forbes.com contributor Andy Bailey says Utah has a shot to win the games. Hummm, Utah is next to Colorado is that stuff legal there too. What is he smoking?

     The Jazz and Rockets split their season series 2-2 this year, with each team going 1-1 on its home court. Utah has an all-time regular season record of 105-96 versus Houston, and the teams have met eight times in the playoffs since 1985, with each team holding a 22-22 overall record and the Jazz advancing five times. Of note, Utah beat Houston 4-2 in the Western Conference Finals in 1997, with John Stockton hitting "The Shot" to send the Jazz to their first NBA Finals. Last year, the Rockets eliminated the Jazz in five games in the Western Conference Semifinals.

     Forbes.com contributor Andy Bailey, "Just under one year ago, the Utah Jazz suffered a gentlemen's sweep at the hands of the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals. The five-game series included four double-digit victories for Houston, and the Rockets outscored the Jazz by 9.5 points per 100 possessions, according to the league's website.
It wasn't close.
So, other than the fact that it's happening one round earlier, what makes this series different? Can the Jazz actually upend the one team in the West that looks like it might push the Golden State Warriors? It may not be the likely outcome, but the answer to that question is: "Yes."