Rockets and Jazz collide in pivotal Game 7 in Houston

I didn't saw this one coming.

That being how this best-of-seven Western Conference first round series between the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz has brought out the best in each team's group of guys, all vying to advance to the next round and be that much closer to the NBA title.

Of course, with only the Golden State Warriors standing between them and the Western Conference finals, (yes, this eight-seeded team actually eliminated the mighty Dallas Mavericks...) you just know each team is just salivating to play Golden State and hope they won't be as careless as the Dallas Mavericks were.

The home team won ALL the home games in this best-of-seven first round series. And yep, the Houston Rockets WILL BE at home as they try to finish off the Utah Jazz in front of what would definitely be a raucous crowd in Texas.

The Jazz survived being eliminated at home when they were able to withstand the pressure from Houston, making its own run at Utah in the fourth quarter of Game 6. Desperation was the theme in Salt Lake City as the Jazz survived, winning Game 6, 94-82, to force a decisive Game 7 back in Texas.

The Jazz don't mind if the crowd will be up against them once it's time to play the final game of what turned out to be an exciting first-round battle. Well, of course, they DO mind but Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams sure has a nice way of putting things in perspective.

''Now they're facing elimination as well,'' Williams said, ''so it puts a little pressure on them.''

Yeah... Sure it does. He he... Rockets will win game 7 and will have more than an easy time handling the Golden State Warriors who are probably dog-tired now after beating the mighty Dallas Mavericks. He he... After all, the NBA has this rule that says you can't beat Texas in the NBA twice. Especially in the post-season.

UNLESS of course, your team says, ''Detroit Pistons.''

Can the Houston Rockets eliminate the Utah Jazz in Game 7? Who will win the 2007 NBA Championship? Here are some odds from Bodog:

Detroit Pistons 9/2

New Jersey Nets 40/1

Phoenix Suns 3/1

Want more odds? Visit OddsHQ for more NBA basketball odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2007 NBA Playoffs Utah Jazz Houston Rockets