2018 NBA Playoffs: Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz preview

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(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Individual matchups

Point Guard: Chris Paul vs. Ricky Rubio

On a Rockets team led by offensive guru Mike D’Antoni, Chris Paul’s skills have found the perfect system, as the nine-time All-Star has the space to break down the defense and pass out to a bevy of open shooters or attack his man off the dribble.]

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Even at 32 years of age, Paul is still capable of making defenders look silly with his handles, and playing next to James Harden takes loads of pressure off him offensively, making him fresh for when the games matter most.

In just his first playoff appearance in his seventh year in the NBA, Ricky Rubio has impressed mightily, with averages of 14 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game in Utah’s six-game matchup with OKC. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury could keep him sidelined for 10 days.

Clearly playing with a newfound confidence after holding Russell Westbrook to just 39.8 percent shooting, Rubio isn’t going to shy away from going toe-to-toe with Paul.

However, with a spot in the Conference Finals on the line, expect CP3 to do any and everything to get out of the second round for the first time in his 13-year career, whether he’s matched up with a banged up Rubio, Alec Burks or Dante Exum. Advantage: Rockets

Shooting Guard: James Harden vs. Donovan Mitchell

After bringing in Chris Paul over the offseason, many believed James Harden’s numbers would suffer playing next to another ball-dominant player.

That has been far from the case, as Harden is a near lock to win his first MVP award after leading the Rockets to the best record in the NBA with his otherworldly ability to break any and all defenses down and make the correct decision once he does, averaging 30.4 points and 8.8 assists per game in the process.

Despite being drafted 13th overall in this past June’s draft, Donovan Mitchell is far from the average rookie, as his two-year stint at Lousiville allowed Mitchell come right into the league and lead the Jazz in scoring with 20.5 points per game.

Mitchell exceeded expectations during the regular season. He upped his game in the playoffs, averaging 28.5 point per game in the first round, but James Harden is a different beast, and unlike any he’s had to consistently match up against. Advantage: Rockets

Small Forward: Trevor Ariza vs. Joe Ingles

Standing at 6’8″ with long arms and a 36.8 percent conversion rate from distance this past season, Trevor Ariza is the prototypical 3-and-D player for Houston, capable of defending multiple positions and spacing the court from either forward spot.

The same could be said of the 6’8″ Joe Ingles, who isn’t afraid of getting in the face of his opponent, no matter their stature (just ask Paul George), and who flashed a deadly jumper from beyond the arc in their first round series, shooting 44 percent from deep.

While both Ariza and Ingles are arguably the glue that holds both teams together, Ingles’ ability to facilitate the basketball gives him the edge over Ariza, who isn’t much more than a spot-up shooter on the offensive end. Advantage: Jazz

Power Forward: P.J. Tucker vs. Derrick Favors

At 245 pounds while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range during the regular season, P.J. Tucker gives the Rockets a great amount of versatility at the power forward spot, capable of sliding down to the center spot and switching any and every pick-and-roll on defense without sacrificing spacing on the other end.

Derrick Favors, however, is more of a prototypical power forward, with a lot more, well, power, posting up defenders and crashing the offensive glass, with only a minimal ability to hit mid-range jumpers and the inability to defend on the perimeter.

In an era that favors a faster and smaller style of play, every NBA team needs a guy like Tucker. While Favors has the ability to dominate the paint, Tucker’s strength and toughness make that highly unlikely. Advantage: Rockets

Center: Clint Capela vs. Rudy Gobert

Drafted only a year and two picks apart, Clint Capela and Rudy Gobert came into this league long, lanky and full of potential.

Capela, drafted in 2014 with the 25th pick, had to wait until Dwight Howard was out of the mix, but since then has become a terrific asset for the Rockets, capable of grabbing 15-plus rebounds and blocking two-plus shots, all while giving both Paul and Harden a giant target on lobs off penetration.

Gobert, drafted a year prior with the 27th pick, faced a similar career arc, spending time behind Enes Kanter before Kanter was traded away in 2015, allowing the Stifle Tower to evolve into the best rim protector in the game and a prime candidate to win the 2017-18 Defensive Player of the Year award.

Both Capela and Gobert are the last line of defense for their respective teams, and both can control the boards on either end.

However, while Capela is a feared shot-blocker, Gobert is a much better rim-protector, capable of making even the reckless Russell Westbrook think twice before attacking the basket. Advantage: Jazz