*** Tired, worn out, emotionally and physically spent and the Jazz put out an awesome defensive effort. I get it the Lakers aren’t good. But they aren’t 73 points not good. The Jazz defensive rating tonight was around 82 pts allowed per 100 possessions. The Lakers average 101. That is a crazy big difference. To do that when you don’t have an offensive game going, when you are tired and it is hard to play defense is really impressive. Jazz went over 10 minutes without a field goal and won the game. That is amazing.
*** I was talking with someone with the Lakers on my way out and he said, dang every shot was contested. It is a good point. The Lakers were just 3 of 11 from 3. They shot 8 of 35 outside of the paint. Gobert is awesome. Favors is formidable. But the defensive growth is more than any one player. Gordon Hayward told me after the game that the guys are really holding each other accountable and when guys screw up the guys are yelling at each other to get it right.
*** A huge part of the Jazz game is offensive rebounding. They are #1 in the NBA in offensive rebounds. The Jazz got 2 offensive rebounds and 0 2nd chance points tonight. Never thought I would see that with this team. The Offensive rebound is such a vital part of the offense to lose those points is really hard to overcome.
*** The Jazz were dead early in the game and in the third quarter Hayward did what really good players are supposed to do. He willed his teammates along the way. He brought an increased energy level and command on the game and forced his teammates to join along with him.
*** Huge night for Trey Burke. Dante is 0 for his last 11 and the Jazz needed Trey tonight and he delivered. Trey kept the in the game in the early 2nd quarter and then made two mammoth plays late in the game. The split of the pick and roll defense on the low dribble was one of the better plays I have seen from him.
*** Gordon Hayward is averaging 21 points a game since Feb 1st. when you consider the Jazz are playing only 92 possessions a game and the league is averaging 96 Hayward’s 21 points is probably closer to 22 on an average pace team and 23 or 24 on Golden State or Houston.
*** Tonight Hayward scored 27% of the teams points and had 5 assists. He accounted for 10 of the 25 field goals and 11 free throws. He is being a complete stud. Did I mention his 4 steals?
*** Joe Ingles 3 three pointers were very big tonight.
*** Trevor Booker put up 10 points, 5 rebounds (the only 2 offensive rebounds) and 4 assists.
*** Jazz starting back court was 0 for 11. Lots of wins have blurred the picture a little bit but this team still has a long way to go and the last two nights from Exum and Hood are a good reminder of how long they still have to go before they have a solid footing every night.
*** Rudy’s streak of 10 consecutive game with 10 rebounds ended tonight.
*** Ron Boone had the TV stats guy chart the Jazz in the last 4 seconds of the shot clock and the Jazz were 4 of 9. The Jazz for the season are using 11% of their possessions in the final 4 seconds of the shot clock but recently that number is up to 14%. For the season the next closest is 9%.
*** Winning games when the starting line-up shoots 11 of 36 is really hard. Harded when that is 1 for 11 from three.
*** Jazz have won 4 of their last 6 they trailed at halftime
*** Solid defensive win. The defense was crazy good again. The Lakers never scored over 20 points in a quarter. They shot 40% and below 30% from 3. Continuation of lots of really good things taking place.