The fourth-seeded Houston Rockets put a 122-90 beating on the fifth-seeded Utah Jazz in Game 1 of this Western Conference first-round series on Tuesday. They're now 9-4-1 ATS in the last 14 head-to-head meetings and I expect that dominance to continue here in Game 2.

Utah's defensive scheme to contain James Harden failed miserable in the series opener as he had 29 points with 10 assists helping seven Rockets players to reach double digits in scoring.

Houston shot 15-of-41 (36.6%) from behind the arc, and while the Jazz are expected to make some adjustments for this contest, I just don't see them keeping up with this Rockets side.

These sides clashed in the Western Conference semifinals last season, a series the Rockets opened with a win only to drop Game 2. They should have learned their lesson this time around. "It's only one game," Harden said. "They're going to make adjustments, we have to make adjustments and play that much harder and smarter. We'll let it sink in and get ready to go."

10* play on Houston Rockets.