Jazz vs. Rockets 2018 live stream: Time, TV channel, and how to watch Game 2 online

Can Utah find a way to overcome Ricky Rubio’s absence?

The Houston Rockets are mismatch for most NBA teams even at full strength. The Utah Jazz tried to keep pace with them without Ricky Rubio in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal. The Rockets ran away with a 1-0 series lead after a 110-96 win, shooting 53 percent from three-point range. With Rubio still sidelined with a hamstring injury, Game 2 could be much of the same.

In the series opener, James Harden scored 41 points on 26 shots, draining 7-of-12 threes. The Jazz, as a team, made as many three-point shots. The Rockets had a 25-point lead at the half, and Utah looked exhausted days removed from its seven-game series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team suggests that didn’t play a factor in the loss though.

‘’It’s a quick turnaround obviously and there’s some fatigue,’’ rookie phenom Donovan Mitchell said after the game, according to the NBA. ‘’But that wasn’t the reason for the performance.’’

How to watch Rockets vs. Jazz Game 2

Date: May 2

Where: Toyota Center, Houston

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

TV: TNT

The Jazz are unexpectedly in the second round of the postseason after losing their All-Star, Gordon Hayward to free agency. They aren’t built as a serious championship contender just yet, but this run could convince free agents to join ship over the summer.

For now, Mike D’Antoni’s group is out to show what a true contender looks like.