Jazz vs. Rockets: A Look at Houston’s Offensive Woes
Want to stay updated on the latest NBA action? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here. The Houston Rockets enter tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz as significant home favorites, but a closer look reveals a team grappling with serious scoring issues. Despite a talented roster featuring Kevin Durant, the Rockets are finding points hard to come by, and a matchup against a surprisingly resilient Jazz squad might be tougher than anticipated.
Jazz vs Rockets: Best Bets & Predictions
Our analysis points to a low-scoring contest. Here are our NBA picks and predictions for the Jazz vs. Rockets game, set to tip off at 9:30 pm ET on Monday, February 23:
- Rockets Team Total Under 120.5 (-115): This is our top pick. Houston’s offensive struggles are well-documented.
- Reed Sheppard Over 3.5 Assists: Sheppard is showing a knack for facilitating, averaging 4.0 assists in his last five games.
- Lauri Markkanen Over 4.5 Rebounds: Markkanen consistently finds opportunities on the boards, exceeding his rebound total in five of his last six games.
Houston’s Offensive Struggles: A Deep Dive
The Rockets currently rank 26th in offensive rating over their last 12 games – a concerning statistic, even worse than the Washington Wizards. Their average of 104.9 points per game during this stretch is near the bottom of the league. While a game against the Utah Jazz might seem like an opportunity to break out of this slump, the Jazz have quietly improved their defense.
Utah’s defense, while shaky earlier in the season, has climbed to 10th in defensive rating since February 1st. This improvement, combined with Houston’s offensive woes, makes the Rockets’ team total of 120.5 appear inflated. The Rockets haven’t surpassed this number in their last 12 games.
Key Players to Watch
Reed Sheppard is a key component in unlocking Houston’s offense. His ability to move the ball and create opportunities for teammates is crucial. The Jazz, however, are last in the league in opponent assists per possession, presenting a unique challenge.
On the Jazz side, Lauri Markkanen’s rebounding prowess is a consistent factor. A struggling offense often leads to more rebounding opportunities, and Markkanen is poised to capitalize.
Additional Prop Bets
- Ace Bailey Over 3.5 Rebounds
- Kevin Durant Over 5.5 Rebounds
- Amen Thompson Over 7.5 Rebounds
Game Details & Odds
Spread: Jazz +13 (-110) | Rockets -13 (-110)
Moneyline: Jazz +575 | Rockets -850
Over/Under: Over 228.5 (-110) | Under 228.5 (-110)
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Tip-off: 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: Peacock
(Not intended for use in MA)
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