Rockets thump Jazz, 117-91

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets needed a win Wednesday night to clinch home-court advantage in the first round of the 2015 Western Conference Playoffs.

"We knew we had to win to have home court," Rockets head coach Kevin McHale minutes after tonight's game. "We had no idea about everything else. I told them there are so many different scenarios that are available to us. We just have to take care of business."

Check. The Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 117-91.

Next, with the win, in order to clinch the 2nd seed in the Western Conference playoffs, the Rockets needed the San Antonio Spurs to lose to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Check. The Spurs lost to the Pelicans 108-103.

Therefore, with the Rockets' win and the Spurs' loss, the Rockets will face the 7th-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the 2015 NBA Western Conference Playoffs. The win also gives the Rockets their first division title since the 1993-'94 season.

"It shows the character of this team," James Harden said. "No matter what, we had a lot of adversity this season. A lot of injuries. A lot of things didn't go our way but we didn't complain. We didn't back down from anything. We kept fighting. We just kept battling through whatever came our way."

"I haven't really prepped, yet." McHale said. "Dallas will be tough. Rick (Carlisle) is a helluva coach and they've got a good team. We're going to have to play how we play and attack them. I'm sure it will be a good series. They're a great team."

The Rockets led the Jazz 31-20 after the first quarter; and, blew the game wide open by outscoring the Jazz 34-15 in the second quarter.

The Rockets (56-26) led 65-35 at halftime and cruised to victory in the second half.

In just 27 minutes of game action, James Harden produced his 4th triple-double of the season with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Looking to the first-round match-up against the Mavs Harden said, "They're a really good team with a high powered offense. It's going to be a series of where we can get stops. Whoever can get stops and that's what we will rely on. The offense isn't always clicking so we have to rely on our defense but they have a lot of weapons."

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