Things are really starting to heat up in the NBA postseason, and both of Tuesday’s late contests are win or go home affairs. Both the Utah-Houston and Phoenix-San Antonio series feature a playoff rematch from last year, with the team winning last year’s matchup on the brink of advancing to the second round.

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Utah won both meetings at Houston before splitting two games at home, but now can advance to round 2 in the Western Conference playoffs with a victory in this spot. The fifth-seeded Jazz knocked out the Rockets last year before advancing all the way to the Western Conference Finals.

The Phoenix-San Antonio series figured to be a classic even though these two heavyweights are colliding in the first round. The first game lived up to the hype before being decided in double overtime, but the last two games have been blowouts.

The third-seeded Spurs won the first three games of this series, and need just one more victory to take on the New Orleans-Dallas winner. Defending champion San Antonio had won nine playoff games in a row before getting routed in Sunday’s Game 4 setback to Phoenix.

Now let’s break down both of Tuesday’s late games.

**Jazz (5) at Rockets (4)**

-Caesars Palace installed Houston as a 1 ½-point home ‘chalk’ over Utah, with the total set at 182 ½. Game 5 is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. ET.

-Utah (57-29 straight up, 46-37 against the spread) took a 3-1 series lead after knocking off Houston (56-30 SU, 50-34 ATS) Saturday as an 8 ½-point home favorite, 86-82. The combined 168 points never seriously threatened the 185 ½-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ go 3-1 this series.

-The Jazz have failed to cover the last two games in this series after covering the first two contests. Utah won the rebounding battle, 48-41, while shooting 43 percent (31-of-72) from the field. The Jazz went 0-14 from behind the arc, but prevailed as all five starters reached double digits in scoring. Point guard Deron Williams stepped up with 17 points and nine assists, while center Mehmet Okur added 14 and 18 rebounds.

-Houston shot 37 percent (29-of-79) in the setback, led by Tracy McGrady’s 23 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Game 4 was close throughout, but the Rockets were outscored by 10 points (25-15) in the second quarter. Houston wrapped up the first quarter on a 12-3 run to take a 23-21 lead.

-Utah is 19-24 SU and ATS on the road, with the ‘over’ going 23-19. The Jazz took the first two games of this series in Houston SU and ATS, with the ‘under’ cashing each time.

-Houston maintains a 31-12 SU and 25-17 ATS home ledger, with the ‘under’ going 27-16. The Rockets have been winning their home endeavors by an average score of 97-90.

-Utah guard Jason Hart missed Game 4 with the stomach flu, but is expected to be available for this contest.

**Suns (6) at Spurs (3)**

-Caesars Palace opened San Antonio as a five-point home favorite over Phoenix, with the total set at 198. TNT will provide coverage of Game 5 beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET.

-Phoenix (56-30 SU, 41-42 ATS) avoided getting swept out of the postseason by routing San Antonio (59-27 SU, 40-45 ATS) in Sunday’s Game 4 as a 3 1/2-point home ‘chalk,’ 105-86. The combined 191 points went ‘under’ the 200 ½-point closing total, ending a string of three consecutive ‘over’ outings in this series. The Suns failed to cover their last two games with the Spurs before Sunday’s victory.

-Phoenix never looked back after jumping out to a 34-13 first-quarter advantage. San Antonio outscored the Suns in the final quarter, 21-12, but still lost the game by 19 points and trailed by 32 at one time. Phoenix shot 43 percent (38-of-89) from the field, and 45 percent (9-of-20) from behind the arc. Shooting guard Raja Bell led all scorers with 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Boris Diaw added 20, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

-San Antonio had been shooting the lights out this series, but finished Game 4 by connecting at just a 39-percent clip (32-of-82). Just two starters reached double digits in scoring, led by guard Tony Parker’s 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting and Tim Duncan’s 14 and 10 rebounds.

-The Spurs had won nine consecutive playoff games before Sunday’s setback. Head coach Gregg Popovich benched three of his starters for good late in the third quarter. No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

-Phoenix is 25-18 SU and 21-19 ATS on the road, with the ‘over’ going 22-21. The Suns have been winning their road endeavors by an average score of 108-105. Phoenix went 0-2 SU and 1-1 ATS the first two games of this series in San Antonio.

-The Spurs are 36-7 SU and 24-18 ATS on their home court, with the ‘under’ going 22-20. San Antonio has been winning its home endeavors by an average score of 98-89.

-Phoenix guard/forward Grant Hill missed Game 4 due to a groin injury, and is listed as ‘questionable’ versus the Spurs for Game 5.

Brad Young can be reached by byoung@vegasinsider.com.