The Utah Jazz (18-39) face the Houston Rockets (34-21) in an interconference matchup on Monday, February 23, 2026. The Jazz, struggling with a 2-3 record in their last five and dealing with key injuries, visit a Rockets team that’s 3-2 in its last five and boasts a strong home record. Houston enters as heavy favorites, leveraging its offensive efficiency (top-10 FG% at 47.2%) against Utah’s leaky defense (last in points allowed at 121.1 PPG). Despite Utah’s historical edge in the series, Houston’s current form and home advantage make this a lopsided affair on paper, though the Jazz’s recent ATS success (6-2 in last 8) could keep it competitive. Below is a detailed breakdown, including key factors and betting insights.
Venue Location
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas.
This 18,500-capacity arena, home to the Rockets since 2003, has been a solid venue for Houston (18-10 home record this season), though recent defensive lapses have allowed opponents to score 136+ in losses. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT, 8:30 p.m. CT).
The game will be broadcast on Peacock and SCHN, with radio coverage on SiriusXM, KSL (Utah), and Sports Radio 790 (Houston).
Injury Report
Injuries heavily favor Houston, with Utah’s key players questionable or out, impacting their frontcourt and playmaking.
- Utah Jazz:
- GTD: Jusuf Nurkic (Nose).
- GTD: Lauri Markkanen (Illness).
- Out: Keyonte George (Rest).
- Out: Georges Niang (Undisclosed).
- Out For Season: Walker Kessler (Shoulder).
- The absences remove rim protection and spacing, forcing reliance on John Collins and Collin Sexton.
- Houston Rockets:
- Out: Steven Adams (Ankle).
- Out: Fred VanVleet (Knee).
- VanVleet’s absence removes 15+ PPG and playmaking, but Amen Thompson and Tari Eason have filled in.
Key
Player Matchups
Utah’s injuries weaken their interior, creating mismatches for Houston’s athletic frontcourt.
- Lauri Markkanen (UTA, if plays) vs. Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU): Markkanen (spacing forward) stretches the floor; Smith Jr. (efficient shooter) must contest, deciding rebounding edge.
- Collin Sexton (UTA) vs. Amen Thompson (HOU): Sexton (scoring guard) pushes pace; Thompson (two-way threat) disrupts with defense.
- John Collins (UTA) vs. Alperen Sengun (HOU): Collins (athletic big) vs. Sengun (playmaking center, 20 PPG); Sengun’s vision exploits Utah’s weak paint D.
- Other Notes: Taylor Hendricks (UTA) adds defense vs. Houston’s wings; Dillon Brooks (HOU) locks up Utah’s perimeter without George.
Recent Team Forms
The Jazz are 2-3 in their last five, showing flashes but defensive collapses (allowing 135+ in losses). The Rockets are 3-2, with strong wins but recent close losses.
Here’s a summary of their last five games:
| Team | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| UTA | Feb 20, 2026 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 114-123 | Defensive issues; Allowed 123 pts. |
| UTA | Feb 12, 2026 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 119-135 | Blown out; Poor shooting. |
| UTA | Feb 11, 2026 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 121-93 | Balanced attack; Held SAC to 93 pts. |
| UTA | Feb 9, 2026 | @ Miami Heat | W 115-111 | Clutch win; Efficient offense. |
| UTA | Feb 7, 2026 | @ Orlando Magic | L 117-120 | Close loss; Turnover issues. |
| HOU | Feb 21, 2026 | @ New York Knicks | L 106-108 | Close defeat; Late execution errors. |
| HOU | Feb 19, 2026 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 105-101 | Durant 35 pts; Overcame deficit. |
| HOU | Feb 11, 2026 | vs. LA Clippers | L 102-105 | Late three-point play loss. |
| HOU | Feb 7, 2026 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 112-106 | Road win; Balanced scoring. |
| HOU | Feb 5, 2026 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 99-109 | Shooting struggles; Allowed 109 pts. |
Utah is 2-3 in last 5, averaging 117.2 PPG but allowing 121.8. Houston is 2-3, averaging 102.8 PPG in losses but 108.5 in wins.
Series History
The Jazz and Rockets have played 223 regular-season games, with Utah holding a 117-106 edge.
Utah is 11-9 in the last 20 meetings.
Recent: Jazz won 133-125 on Dec 1, 2025; Rockets won 129-101 on Nov 30, 2025; Rockets won 140-127 on Oct 8, 2025; Jazz won 143-105 on Apr 2, 2025; Rockets won 110-121 on Mar 27, 2025.
At Toyota Center, Rockets hold a 66-44 home edge.
In playoffs, Rockets 26-23 vs Jazz.
Average points: 105.8 for Rockets, 105.2 for Jazz in last 10.
Betting Trends
Rockets are 3-2 SU in last 5, 2-3 ATS.
- Jazz are 2-3 SU in last 5, 6-2 ATS in last 8.
- Under has hit in 6 of Jazz’s last 9 games, 57.9% of Jazz games (33/57).
- Jazz 5-2 ATS in last 7 vs Houston, 4-14 SU in last 18 overall.
- Rockets 1-4 ATS in last 5, 15-13 ATS at home, 16-14 ATS on road.
- Over in 1 of Rockets’ last 5, 38.6% of Rockets games (22/57).
Game Odds
Utah Jazz 225.5
Houston Rockets – 14.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, February 22, 2026
