Utah Jazz Getting Closer to Finding an Identity
Dec 5, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) and forward Derrick Favors (15) react during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won in overtime 122-119. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
The Utah Jazz logged an important victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night that should be a critical turning point in the team’s mentality and identity.
On Saturday night, it finally happened. The Utah Jazz closed out a big game and sealed a victory against a solid opponent.
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Ok, so maybe that’s a little dramatic, but in all honesty the Jazz’s 112-109 overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers was more than just a step in the right direction. It was potentially an identity-defining win for a Utah Jazz team that has struggled to finish all season.
As the Jazz look to prove that they are legitimate playoff contenders, they should use this victory as a blueprint for success. For much of the season so far, Utah’s identity has been unclear at best. Yet in Saturday’s incredibly exciting win, the Jazz pulled together and truly looked like something special.
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
After blowing a 17-point lead in the third quarter, it looked as if the Jazz were primed for another disappointing late-game loss. Indiana’s Paul George began torching the nets, finishing with a career-high 48 points while hitting eight three-pointers, and the Pacers were able to take a late lead.
Yet the Jazz stayed tough and seemingly found a way to respond to each and every one of the Pacers’ mini-runs in the third and fourth quarters.
The defining moment came shortly after George hit a pair of free throws to put the Pacers up 110-107. When the Jazz inbounded the ball, judging on how flat-footed the Pacers appeared, they likely assumed that the Jazz would call a timeout to draw up a play. Instead, Alec Burks surged down the court, drove the lane and hit Derrick Favors, who managed to put in a shot while being fouled.
He went on to make the free throw to tie the game and ultimately send it into overtime. Although the end of regulation and overtime came down to the wire, Favors’ big shot gave the Jazz the momentum they needed to seal the win.
And the big and-one was just an exclamation point to Favors’ incredible night. He carried the Jazz on his back finishing with a career-high 35 points and 13 rebounds. And therein lies a lesson that the Jazz must learn and apply to their game plan and identity–Favors needs to be the focus of the offense.
“I work on my craft so much. This game I calmed down and let the game come to me.” – Derrick Favors following Saturday’s win
Favors has undoubtedly been the Jazz’s most consistent and effective player so far this season. In Saturday’s win he absolutely punished the Pacers in the paint and on the boards. Yet while Favors has earned the opportunity to become the focal point of the Jazz’s offense, Utah got the victory thanks to multiple players stepping up.
Hayward had a solid 22-point night, but his defense on Paul George down the stretch was even more vital. Despite George’s career night, Hayward was responsible for a critical inbound steal during overtime and had several key stops against George both at the end of regulation and overtime, holding George to just three overtime points.
While the Jazz may lack a true elite stopper, if Hayward continues to mold himself into an efficient two-way player, it will be a key improvement for the Jazz. Also, despite getting burned a few times, Elijah Millsap had some important defensive sequences in his limited minutes defending George.
Dec 5, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) hugs Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) following their game at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won in overtime 122-119. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Trey Burke and Raul Neto were the two others who especially stepped up big in Utah’s victory. Burke finished with 19 points including an impressive four-point play to help the Jazz retake the lead shortly before halftime. Neto had by far his best offensive game of the year logging a career-high 13 points.
Tally up everything that worked for the Jazz in this incredible overtime victory and a real identity is truly beginning to emerge. They are a hard-nosed defensive squad who can subdue opponents by capitalizing on contributions from each individual teammate.
The collective ability of this team is much stronger than the sum of its parts. The Jazz have almost all of the tools to be an elite defense, but utilizing Hayward and Millsap as the key stoppers to match up against opponents’ best player is vital.
“It may not look pretty all the time. It may not be successful all of the time. But we’ll keep grinding.” – Quin Snyder
And while the Jazz have several effective weapons on offense, particularly Gordon Hayward, Trey Burke, and when his efficiency is up, Alec Burks, the key focus has to be on Favors. With so many teams placing an emphasis on going small, Favors’ ability to punish defenders while still having the quickness and length to stop opposing stretch-fours will be the Jazz’s defining characteristic and advantage.
Next: Four-Point Play: Jazz Outlast the Pacers
Utah’s latest victory will hopefully help them reset mentally and eliminate all doubts of whether or not they are capable of coming up big down the stretch. Despite recent struggles in that area, Saturday’s victory could and should represent a turning point in the Jazz’s mindset, identity, and ability to finish.
The Jazz have two games against sub-.500 teams in the Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks before getting the chance to take revenge on the Oklahoma City Thunder in consecutive games on December 11th and 13th. Those games will be clear proof of how far the Jazz have truly come in becoming what they have the potential to be.