Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Jazz

3. Rockets defense comes up big yet once again

After putting together an impressive defensive performance in their series opener, the Rockets found a way to showcase that their most recent outing was no fluke indeed in Game 2.

For the second consecutive time in the last four nights, Eric Gordon among several other Rockets willingly took on the challenge of guarding Utah’s leading scorer Donovan Mitchell to start the game. He refused to let him roam freely throughout the night, as the 6-4, 215-pound guard and Austin Rivers sought to make life hard on the by cramming into his air space and contesting nearly every shot attempt from the second-year star.

Mitchell, who finished with 19 points and no assists on 7-for-18 shooting in Game 1, was held to just 11 points on 5-for-19 shooting in Game 2.

"“I think we’re locked in,” Rockets guard James Harden said per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon when asked about what has led to Houston’s most recent defensive stretch. “When we guard like that and we get into their bodies and we rebound the basketball and push the tempo out in transition, it’s pretty hard to beat us.”"

Although one could argue that Houston’s defense once appeared to be in a state of shambles prior to the All-Star break, no one can seek to deny that their latest resurgence has managed to play a critical role in their success as of late.

Through the first two games of the series, the Rockets have held Utah’s offense to under 40 percent shooting and 100 points — capturing double-digit wins in both contests.

"“When we do what we do, I don’t think anybody can beat us,” Houston forward P.J. Tucker said in his postgame presser after the game. “And that’s a fact.”"