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Utah Jazz Vs Houston Rockets: Game Day Tweets

By Ryan Aston

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Jan 10, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) sets up a pass and pick for guard Elijah Millsap (13) against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

For the Utah Jazz and its fan base, the end is nigh. Tonight marks the team’s final foray onto the hardwood of a 2014-15 season in which coach Quin Snyder and co. made huge developmental strides and reinvigorated Jazz Nation. In their final contest, Utah squares off against James Harden and the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.

On the eve of the club’s last game, we take to Twitter to check the pulse of fans, players and media alike as relates to the Rockets, the end of the year and the future. First up, Houston beat writer Jonathan Feigen with an appraisal of Utah’s mid-year explosion:

Given Doc Rivers’ recent defense of the Jazz, decrees from Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger and Dallas Mavericks headman Rick Carlisle that Utah is a playoff team next season and increased media recognition in the vein of Feigen’s observation, one thing is certain—the league is taking notice.

Offering a more in-depth look at the numerical dominance the Jazz are exhibiting is the team-operated Twitter account. The run down really is quite staggering given where the club was when the season began:

While the 38-win Jazz don’t have a lot to play for at this point, the outcome of this game has huge implications for Houston in terms of playoff seeding. Former player and Jazz broadcaster Matt Harpring put it best:

ESPN’s Ethan Strauss gives us an idea of just how much the Rockets need to come out on top on their home floor. On the last day of the season, the margin of error is virtually nonexistent for coach Kevin McHale and crew:

For his part, Jazz center Rudy Gobert has no interest in rolling over for Houston:

Gobert and rookie PG Dante Exum will be taking the floor for the 82nd time in the 2014-15 season tonight. The duo are part of a group of only 30 players league-wide on track to have suited up in all of their team’s games this season. A truly remarkable accomplishment for both players given their youth and the grind of an NBA season.

For the record, Rockets forward Josh Smith has done them one better:

The milestone is especially meaningful for Exum. The 19-year-old has been extremely exhausted of late; the physicality of the Association is hard for anyone to withstand, let alone a 190 pound player whose only previous experience was Australian high school basketball. Nonetheless, it was the rookie’s goal to suit up for all 82 games and he was equal to the task.

Per Jazz Radio play-by-play man David Locke, Exum did everything he could to ensure he hit his mark:

Speaking of Mr. Locke, the broadcaster gave a shout-out to his seat mate, Jazz assistant coach Alex Jensen:

After tonight, many in the Jazz organization will be bidding adieu to one another. Some for the last time. Forward Jeremy Evans, for example, could be playing in his final game for the franchise. His future remains to be seen, but the future of Jazz trainer Gary Briggs is set in stone.

Once again from David Locke:

Any way you slice it, the end of the season is bittersweet for everyone involved. At this point, there is probably only one thing left to say:

Hear, hear.

That’s the tale on Twitter heading into game 82 of the 2014-15 Utah Jazz season.  Keep up on the action throughout the night and during the game using the hashtags #UTAatHOU and #JazzBlast.

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