2018 NBA Playoffs: Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets Game 1, Western Conf. Semis

Houston did sweep Utah in the regular season series and if the first game of this Western Conference Semifinals series is anything to go by, they may just repeat the feat. But like they say, only time will tell!

So join us for Game 2 of this series on Wednesday, 2nd May at 8:00 PM ET/Thursday, 3rd May 5:30 AM IST as Sportskeeda's coverage of NBA Playoffs 2018 continues.

This is me, Raunak Jaiswal signing off. Toodleoo!

So it was a case of shooting well from downtown for the Houston Rockets who were led by who else but James Harden. The home side dominated throughout the game and led by as much as 27 points late in the second quarter. Utah were always chasing the game and in the end they did fall short.

The @HoustonRockets win Game 1!

Harden erupts for 41 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST to lead the #Rockets to the 110-96 W. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Gg50FQRSML
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2018

Rockets watch out the rest of the clock and its done! Houston takes Game 1!

Ingles makes a layup inside the paint and that should be it.

Gerald Green with the corner 3.

Joe Ingles makes the trip to the free throw lines now. He splits the free throws.

Gobert is fouled again, this time by Harden. It's again 1 of 2 for the Frenchman.

Gobert is fouled now and he will shoot his share of 2 free throws and he goes 1 of 2

Capela is fould, Houston move to the free throw line again. Capela makes both the free throws.

O'Neale drives to the base line and finds Gobert who hammers it down.

Harden! Makes his 7th 3 of the night.

Derrick Favors scores a driving basket in transition..

Timeout Jazz!

Crowder is now sent to the charity stripe but he misses both shots.

Crowder now makes a driving layup.

Harden is cooking!

36 for the #Rockets All-Star #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/o8kembZ9Dk
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2018

James gets fouled again and makes both the free throws this time.

Ingles misses his jump-shot but Gobert tips it in.

Harden connects with Capela who dunks it yet again.

Timeout Rockets!

Harden misses his driving hook shot but he gets the rebound and scores the putback layup.

Neto makes another layup.

HARDEN! How do you guard him? He makes another step-back 3.

Mitchell tries to drive again but misses his shot. However, Gobert comes in with the putback slam to notch his first points of the night.

Harden drives again and is fouled again. This time he makes them both.

Harden tries to drive on his end and is fouled in the process. He splits the free throws.

Mitchell with another driving layup.

Raul Neto makes a bucket for Utah.

Crowder with another trey.

Paul connects with Capela again inside the paint and the latter is fouled in the act of shooting. Capela misses both free throws.

And we're underway again.

And that's it for the third quarter.

Chris Paul responds with a trey of his own.

Crowder makes a fadeaway jumper!

Alec Burks now makes a bucket and 1! He misses it.

Exum gets two more points of his own.

Gordon is fouled while shooting and he makes both free throws.

Mitchell makes a driving layup.

28 for Harden! #Rockets| #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/SdnfUpZPyA
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2018

Tucker with a 360 layup! Timeout Utah!

Harden with the step-back 3 again! He has been plugging away all night.

Donovan Mitchell throws it down from the alley oop!

Burks inside the paint an rolls it in.

Timeout Houston.

CP3 & The Beard combine for 34 in the 1st half of Game 1!#Rockets | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/rOYwOF6xBg
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2018

Tucker makes a driving shot.

Mitchell draws contact on his shot from Paul and makes both the free throws.

Ingles with a beautiful pass to Favors for the allley oop!

Mitchell with another scooping layup.

2018 NBA Playoffs: Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets Game 1, Western Conf. Semis - Live Scores & Updates

FULL-TIME: Utah Jazz 96-110 Houston Rockets; Rockets win and lead the series 1-0