West Conf. Semis - Game 3: Houston Rockets 113-92 Utah Jazz - 5 Talking Points

#3 Houston's defense finally shows up

Joe Ingles and James Harden

While the Rockets struggled a bit defending the 3 point shot, their interior defense was suffocating. Capela was excellent at defending the rim, as the Jazz kept coming up short whenever they drove to the basket. They also changed up their pick-and-roll defensive game plan to counter Utah's quick slipping move to the rim.

Mitchell who had 11 assists in Game 2, suddenly found no passing lanes off the pick and roll and had to reset time and time again. They also didn't collapse when he drove into the lane like they did in the last game and the Jazz didn't get many wide open looks from 3 as a result.

I'd been critical of Houston's defense the past few games, allowing teams to shoot 50% or more in 4 out of their last 5 games, but today they were excellent. The Jazz shot 41% from the field in what was Houston's best defensive performance this postseason.