HOUSTON — While it certainly factored into the sluggish start that greased the skids to their demise in Game 1 [url=http://www.chargersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-derwin-james-jersey]http://www.chargersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-derwin-james-jersey[/url] , the Utah Jazz were inundated with a number of causes behind their loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday in addition to the absence of starting point guard Ricky Rubio.

Defensively, the Jazz were overrun by the Rockets’ exceptional 3-point shooting (17 for 32) and victimized early by some leaky transition defense. Rockets guard James Harden again tormented the Utah defense, cashing in seven 3s en route to a game-high 41 points, and the Jazz lacked energy in the first half following a short turnaround from the completion of their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder less than 48 hours prior to tipoff.

But the Jazz clearly missed Rubio, despite recording 20 assists on 38 field goals. While rookie guard Donovan Mitchell and veteran swingman Joe Ingles produced five assists each, and Utah received steady play from guards Dante Exum and Alec Burks off the bench, the Jazz didn’t quite have that same verve that Rubio provides with his ball-handling skill and passing acumen.

“I think it makes Donovan handle the ball more than they would like,” said Rockets forward Trevor Ariza, who drew the primary defensive assignment on Mitchell. “He’s their dominant scorer at this point so when he has to handle the ball and get everybody involved in the game, it kind of takes away from him scoring the ball all the time or being aggressive all the time.”

The Jazz also missed the defensive presence of center Rudy Gobert, despite the fact that Gobert logged 35 minutes in the 110-96 loss. A Defensive Player of the Year candidate and league leader by a healthy margin in defensive real plus-minus [url=http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-marquez-valdes-scantling-jersey]http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-marquez-valdes-scantling-jersey[/url] , Gobert was a non-factor on that end, failing to record a block for the first time this postseason and just the eighth time overall.

Gobert averaged 2.3 blocks and ranked second in the NBA in block percentage (6.0), yet the Rockets had success attacking the rim with Gobert stationed there to defend it, shooting 8 of 9 with Gobert within three feet of the rim. The key to their success? Doing what comes naturally.

“We just try to be us as much as possible,” Rockets guard Chris Paul said. “I think James said it after last game: We’ve seen just about every defense you can have this past season, so if they switch, we adjust. If you back (up to protect the rim), we adjust. We just keep playing.”

Utah, conversely, can’t afford to maintain the status quo. The Rockets rode robust shooting to a 27-point, first-half lead and continued to exploit a Jazz defense that has stifled almost every other opponent. Harden averaged 34.3 points on 55.4 percent shooting against Utah during the season and looked alarmingly at ease attacking the Jazz off the dribble and from the perimeter.

Rubio [url=http://www.authenticskansascitychiefs.com/cheap-robert-golden-jersey]Robert Golden Color Rush Jersey[/url] , out with a left hamstring strain, won’t be available to save the Jazz on offense. Defensively, Utah understands exactly what is required to ensure a superior performance.

“It takes all five guys on the court communicating, that’s for sure,” Jazz forward Jae Crowder said. “But you have to accept it. So, if they’re cross-matching and they’re running back you just got to demand the guy (to defend in transition) and stick with him for that possession and work it out. And that causes every guy on the court to know each guy’s tendencies and what he likes to do.

“So, you have to communicate on the court very well in the situation that we’re putting ourselves, which is in transition and working itself out in the half court and getting these guys in front of us and making it as tough as possible.”

Marvin Bagley III was adamant that he was the best player going into the draft and was quick to share that opinion when asked. The former Duke star wasn’t backing down after being taken by the Sacramento Kings with the second overall selection, either.

”That’s just the type of player I am,” Bagley said during a conference call with reporters. ”I’m going to have confidence in my game. I still think I’m the best player in the draft and I stand by that. I put a lot of work into it and I’m glad that I’ll be able to show it with Sacramento.”

Bagley’s positioning in the draft had been a topic of debate in the days leading up to the draft, whereas 7-foot-1 center Deandre Ayton of Arizona was almost unanimously viewed as the top overall pick.

The Phoenix Suns grabbed Ayton with the No. 1 pick [url=http://www.authenticsneworleanssaints.com/cheap-rick-leonard-jersey]Rick Leonard Color Rush Jersey[/url] , dropping Bagley to the No. 2 spot with Sacramento, which he says will give him added incentive heading into the NBA.

”It just lit a fire inside of me to want to play and compete at a high level,” Bagley said. ”So I’m happy it ended like that. Now all we can do is step out on the floor and play the game. That’s what it all is.”

The Kings drafted another Duke player, Gary Trent Jr., with the 37th overall pick then traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for two future second-round selections.

Bagley will be a welcome addition in Sacramento’s frontcourt. The 6-foot-11 Bagley was AP’s player of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference during his only season at Duke. He averaged 21 points and 11.1 rebounds while shooting better than 60 percent and has the ability to consistently finish at the rim.

That is key for the Kings, who were inconsistent inside much of last season while finishing 27-55.

”Marvin is an elite talent in this draft, a great player,” Kings general manager Vlade Divac said. ”He’s a guy who works hard, wants to improve, learn, coachable [url=http://www.milwaukeebrewersteamshop.com/authentic-brent-suter-jersey]Brent Suter Milwaukee Brewers Jersey[/url] , good teammate. Checks all the boxes that we want.”

Divac had several options with the franchise’s highest pick since the Kings grabbed Pervis Ellison with the top overall pick in 1989.

Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr. and Real Madrid sensation Luka Doncic were linked to Sacramento in the weeks leading up to the draft. Both were intriguing for different reasons, but there were questions about Porter’s health as well as concerns about Doncic’s ability to carry over his international success to the NBA.

By contrast, Bagley is considered a safe pick who should help the Kings’ inside scoring and rebounding.

”Marvin is for us a better fit, a better player,” Divac said. ”It was an easy choice for us.”

Bagley was one of four players in Division I to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in 2017. He joins a struggling franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2006.

Coach Dave Joerger’s young team showed flashes at times in 2017 but there was never an established starting lineup and players were shuffled in and out.

Bagley played forward at Duke but could also get time at center in Joerger’s system. The 19-year-old is more of a scoring threat than last year’s starter, Willie Cauley-Stein, although both big men need more development on the defensive end.

A more likely scenario is the two big men playing together to give the Kings an inside presence on both ends.

Sacramento also has Skal Labissiere, who had an uneven season while dealing with injuries in 2017. Harry Giles, acquired in a draft-day trade from Portland a year ago, is also on the roster but didn’t play at all his rookie season after recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee.

Bagley’s ability to play both forward positions and center will give Joerger flexibility within his lineup.

”He can play 3, 4 and 5 [url=http://www.officialsabres.com/authentic-adidas-rasmus-dahlin-jersey]Authentic Rasmus Dahlin Jersey[/url] ,” Divac said. ”That’s what’s in Marvin’s unique talent, he can play multiple positions.”

Bagley is eager to get started. He is due to fly to Sacramento on Saturday and has already been penciled in to play in the NBA’s summer league.

”I think I can bring a lot to a team, offensively and defensively, inside and out,” Bagley said. ”I’m very confident in my game and my abilities. I know how much work I put into this and how much I sacrificed for it. I’m excited to show the world, my team and my teammates everything I can do.”

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