Rockets host Jazz as Utah looks to snap 10-game slide

The Houston Rockets sit third in the Western Conference standings thanks to a strong start, but before they beat the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, Amen Thompson's offensive struggles were a growing concern.

Then Thompson posted 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting to go with seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks for the Rockets, who will host the Utah Jazz on Friday in an NBA Cup game.

The fourth-year swingman recorded his best scoring output since scoring 23 points at Milwaukee on Oct. 28, ending a six-game stretch in which he averaged just 12.2 points and shot better than 50% from the field only once.

"He turned his aggressiveness up," Rockets coach Ime Udoka said of Thompson. "At times you can call plays for guys, but also if we're trying to play faster like we did in the first half ... it's going to be equal opportunity at times, and he was the odd man out there.

"But great to see him stick with it. Got more aggressive attacking the rim in the second half, and Alpi (Rockets center Alperen Sengun) did a great job finding him inside also."

Not only is Thompson averaging fewer points, rebounds and assists than last year, but his offensive efficiency numbers are also the lowest of his career. After sharing point guard duties last season while Fred VanVleet recovered from knee surgery, Thompson has struggled to return to an off-ball role. The Rockets are working to rectify that situation.

"Just putting the ball in his hands more, allowing him to get downhill and get to his spots," Udoka said. "We have to do our part to still give him his play calls and not just play off of what happens.

"That gets him going, and then he gets on the glass, and he's slashing and moving and Alperen and guys are finding him, and it elevates our whole team."

The Rockets will be without Marcus Smart on Friday as he serves the first of a three-game suspension for throwing a punch at Warriors center Charles Bassey.

The Jazz suffered their 10th consecutive loss on Wednesday, a 123-108 home setback to the Orlando Magic. Utah held a two-point lead entering the fourth quarter but collapsed down the stretch.

The Jazz entered the season with modest expectations and reliant upon a number of younger contributors. Injuries to the veteran frontcourt -- Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee), Lauri Markkanen (wrist) and Jusuf Nurkic (foot) -- have exacerbated matters.

Rookie Darryn Peterson scored 22 points against the Magic, and the Jazz will be forced to lean heavily on Ace Bailey and Keyonte George, who are in their second and fourth seasons, respectively, with their vets on the mend.

Despite the results, Jazz coach Will Hardy is seeing the hallmarks of improvement. The Jazz want to emphasize volume with catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, physicality while attacking the rim and selflessness offensively. Spotting those trends is difficult when missed shots and turnovers accumulate, but Hardy feels the signs are there.

"There's a lot of good basketball being played. We've got to keep fighting for our focus to try to maintain it," Hardy said.

"I think we're seeing the blueprint for how our team needs to play. I think the guys are recognizing it. I really do think they're giving a ton of effort to that."

--Field Level Media