Utah Jazz: 3 takeaways from Game 4 survival vs. Rockets

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 22: Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talk during Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets on April 22, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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2. Donovan Mitchell plays like a star

After such an unbelievable showing in the 2018 NBA Playoffs where he averaged 24.4 points per game, Donovan Mitchell had struggled early in the 2019 NBA Playoffs. The second-year guard was putting in “just” 21.3 points a night, but with an alarming decrease in field goal percentage and a slight dip in 3-point efficiency.

In Game 4, Mitchell reminded the NBA world why he has one of the brightest futures in the league, dropping 31 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists. It was exactly the outing both he and the Jazz needed to regain their confidence and stave off the ultimate defeat, even if he only shot 11-for-26 overall.

Utah was a middle-of-the-pack offensive team during the regular season largely due to its lack of consistent shot-creators. Mitchell is about the only one, and even he struggles as most 22-year-olds would. Yet, due to circumstances, he’s been forced into a primary role as the only guy on the roster truly capable of going for 30.

It is for this reason that his play is so crucial to the Jazz’s success. He outscored the Rockets all by himself in the fourth quarter, 19-12. Such a scoring binge likely won’t happen again, but if the Jazz can lean on him just a little bit more in Game 5, it will help their so-so offensive remain competitive throughout.