3 ways Ricky Rubio’s return could lift the Jazz

2. He can slow down Harden and Paul

It’s no secret that James Harden and Chris Paul are the two players who really make the Houston offense run at full throttle. No defender is going to shut down either player consistently, but Rubio has the ability to at least provide some resistance.

That wasn’t the case in Game 3 as the Rockets exploded for 70 points in the first half. Specifically, Rubio’s return will give Snyder the option to play him alongside Dante Exum in the backcourt. That’s the pairing that gives the Jazz the best chance to contain the Rockets dynamic pair of point guards.

More than just his individual defense Rubio can give the Jazz valuable ball pressure. He gets plenty of steals but his best attribute is his ability to take the opponent out of their sets. Houston aren’t dependent on a ton of set plays, but Rubio’s ball pressure can force Harden to start his actions well outside the 3-point line.

The key, of course, will be for Rubio to return fully healthy. If his hamstring doesn’t respond perfectly to treatment on Sunday morning then he may not be prepared for the stress of guarding Harden and Paul. It’s going to be a tough call for the Jazz coaching staff to make, but a healthy Rubio could really give their defense a boost.