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Jazz aim to repeat success here vs. Rockets

Nov 1, 2006 - 4:25 PM Houston (34-48) at Utah (41-41) 9:00 pm EST

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Lately, the Utah Jazz have not made things easy here for the Houston Rockets.

The Jazz host the Rockets in the season opener for both teams Wednesday.

Utah has won five of its last six contests at the Delta Center over Houston with the exception of a 99-85 victory by the Rockets on March 28, 2005. The Jazz did take two of the three meetings during the 2005-06 campaign.

This will be the first of four regular-season matchups.

During the offseason, Utah selected Ronnie Brewer in the first round of the draft and Dee Brown and Paul Millsap in the second. The Jazz also made a trade with the Toronto Raptors for BYU product Rafael Araujo and a deal with the Golden State Warriors to bring in veteran point guard Derek Fisher.

Carlos Boozer is back after participating in just the final 33 contests due to a strained left hamstring last year, joining do-it-all swingman Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur in the frontcourt.

Utah could have its hands full with newly acquired Rockets Shane Battier, Bonzi Wells and former player Kirk Snyder, who will try to pitch in to the high-powered attack behind Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

Due to injuries, Yao (toe) missed 25 games last season while McGrady (back) was absent for 35.

Houston posted a 5-2 record in the preseason while Utah went 4-4.