Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from Game 4 loss vs. Jazz

1. Energy level must be better

Despite having the opportunity to close out the series and get themselves prepared for the official challenge that lies ahead, the Rockets failed to impose their will from the opening tip, as the team that managed to claw its way to victory with a collective effort in Game 3 came out lackadaisical at both ends of the floor in Game 4.

Houston — which came into action ranked sixth among playoff teams in rebounding percentage — finished the game with a -17 deficit on the boards and committed a total of 16 turnovers on the night. The Jazz took full advantage of several Rockets miscues to generate instant offense via second chance opportunities and in transition.

"“We didn’t do anything we wanted to do,” Rockets forward P.J. Tucker told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “It’s all on us. We didn’t do anything that we talked about doing. We weren’t aggressive on defense or helping each other out.”"

Although the Rockets can chalk up their most recent performance as a lesson learned, coming out at the start of games with a sense of urgency the rest of the way will prove to be vital throughout the playoffs. Taking care of the basketball, in conjunction with putting up more of a fight on the boards, could be the biggest difference in whether or not Clutch City is able to capture a championship.

The Rockets will now look to rest up and recover over the next day, prior to heading back home to Houston for another closeout Game 5 on Wednesday.