Brad you were one of the media guys who all but said this series would be a sweep. Now you want to say this loss is a minor event on the way to an inevitable win. I watched the Jazz come out and tried not to lose this game instead of trying to win the game. That mindset is why they shot such a horrible 60% from the line. I always say it is hard to shoot free throws with both hands around your throat.

The Jazz lost something else last night. That something being Home Fan Enthusiasm. It will be a less vocal crowd sitting in those seats tomorrow. I do not see this team suddenly changing direction so quickly. I hope that is not the case but I have been watching this team for a long time and major toe stubs like this are usually fatal.

Revisionist history, by a Utah sports media member...nahhhhh!

What does it matter beating the Rockets only earns a chance to get whooped by the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Jazz are so predictable. When their backs are against the wall they raise the level of their play and when they have some breathing room them lose their edge and play with less concentration. Happens every time. Expect the Jazz to play much better the next game since their is now a real sense of urgency. The question is how will the Rockets respond?

I sat and watched this game and wondered why we were walking the ball up the floor. We have a deeper bench, T-Mack tends to tire in the 4th quarter, and when Huston gets a chance to set up on defense they are tough. We should be pushing the ball on every possession. I love coach Sloan, but the one thing that drives me crazy, is his lack of adjustment to the teams he is playing. He is determined to set up and run the half court offense even when it isn't working. Turn D-Will, Price, Kirlinko, Brewer, Korver, Boozer, Milsaph loose to do what they do best, run, and create on the offensive end, keep Huston on their heals, and wear them out by the 4th quarter.

The game was predictable. AK, Nemo and Boozer were pathetic. I don't know why Sloane left the first two on the floor. I agree with Rabbit. In fact, in the third quarter the Jazz picked up the tempo and got out to a 6 point lead then comes the fourth quarter and back we go to the plodding, lead in the boots tempo. Houston wins. I expect a more motivated Jazz Saturday and a double digit win.

You are definitely spinning the story about winning 2 games against a 'quality' opponent. What part of 'quality opponent' do you see when a team (already in trouble missing their super-star center) is missing their starting PG and have to start 35 year old Jackson and 42 year old Mutombo. The Jazz wins in Houston were much much much less impressive than the Rockets win last night. If Deron Williams and Kirilenko sit out Game 4, would you call them a "quality opponent"? I think not. Typical homer journalism.

It seems to me the only thing more pathetic than the Jazz's performance was the officiating. It seemed from the very beginning that they were not going to allow the Jazz to win. There were about 5 absolutely terrible calls, at key points in the game, when the Jazz were gaining momentum.

I can guarantee you there are a lot of teams sitting at home and watching the playoffs right now that would agree that Houston is a "quality opponent". They are afterall the same team (even without Yao) that was flirting with NBA history when they won 22 straight.

Besides, if you are a Rockets fan and that is what you think of your team, it's no wonder they got swept at home. Regardless, you get what you deserve, Jazz in 5.

Rabbit, I couldn't have said it better myself. I think in the end, athletiscm and energy from decent players will win the veteran team.

LongTimeJazzFan....

Could you be any more pessimistic? WOW!

I'm sure you were deflated last night, but sheesh, what kind of fan are you when you believe the crowd will be less vocal tomorrow night. You're crying for the Jazz to come out more focused tomorrow night, right? Look in the mirror. Shake it off. Stand up. Be a true fan. Come ready and prepared to cheer the Jazz on to victory tomorrow night.

Don't call yourself a "Jazz Fan" when all you can offer is anti-Jazz venom.

I'm predicting the Jazz blow the next two games. Why? Because everyone is still expecting them to win. And by the way, if Sloan insists upon putting Kyle in the game, why isn't Darin passing him the ball and including him in the plays? He's the most under utilized player out there and is obviously starting to get an inferiority complex....kind of like a certain tall, skinny Jazz player did last year when he was ignored.

It's quite clear you don't have to worry about boozer.

Just slow down the rest of the team and you will always have chance to beat the jazz.

I thought the first two games between the Jazz and the Rockets were good games. The Jazz executed well, denfended well and their shots fell in, no problem. The Jazz home game between the Rockets was a total disappointment. Everyone except D-Will came out flat. Boozer couldn't hold on to balls in the paint. Memo was useless on defence. He did shoot the three pointer though and did make some baskets but around the paint he was useless. I don't know what happened to Andrei, he was non-existent. Korver made a three and a couple baskets but he turned the ball over at a crucial point of the game.
Bottom line, the Rockets deserved to win the game. They seemed to want it more.

Sol, What the heck are you yapping your yapper about! The jazz beat the Rockets at full strength last year and it won't be any different this year. You sound like the Houston team cry, cry, and cry some more. Tracey Catfish!

Few, if any, expected this? Only those who watched the Jazz loose 18 times to teams that did not make the playoffs. Only those that remember watching the Jazz in the playoffs and seeing them blow leads countless times. To us old time Jazz fans, it's called reminiscing. They let Michael Jordan score 40+ points when he had the stomach flu, mainly because they didn't make him play defense. Watching Karl Malone suddenly decide to work on his jump shot instead of taking the ball inside, watching Mark Eaton do his best tree imitation, watching Bryon Russel being shoved by Jordan before making The Shot..(I know. My therapist said I'm not supposed to remember that one)

Actully, this is part of what makes watching the Jazz exciting. Kind of like the being at the top of a roller coaster, and then noticing someone removed a section of track. Yee Haaaaaa

It's the playoffs and this is the WESTERN CONFERENCE. Nobody in the west will sweep their series. Even the Spurs will drop one against the Suns. So everybody needs to settle down and realize that the Jazz played a horrible game the other night, and they still only lost by two points. Jazz in FIVE.