Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert Stifles Marc Gasol in Memphis

The Utah Jazz moved ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies for the fifth spot in the Western Conference thanks to Rudy Gobert’s domination of Marc Gasol.

Make no mistake about it — FedExForum is Marc Gasol’s house. Perhaps moreso than in recent years, the building has been especially good to the Memphis Grizzlies star this season. Particularly during the week of December 5-11.

The Grizz played three of their four games at home during the week, finishing 4-0 overall, and were able to beat Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors within the Forum’s friendly confines.

Gasol averaged 27.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.25 steals and 1.50 blocks during that stretch, loading the box score on his way to Western Conference Player of the Week honors.

Things have been less awesome in Memphis this week, but Gasol and Co. really hit a wall on Sunday night when the Utah Jazz came into town.

Or was it a Tower?

Entering the game, the most anticipated match-up for fans of the two teams was likely in the paint where the West’s reigning Player of the Week would go toe-to-toe with the Stifle Tower himself, Rudy Gobert.

While Gasol has stolen some of Gobert’s All-Star love (and perhaps even the aforementioned weekly honor) with his incredible comeback campaign, on this cold Sunday night in Memphis, Gobert set the court ablaze.

.@rudygobert27 Highlights // Jazz 82, Grizzlies 73 🎥 https://t.co/TVuY65UDPt
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 19, 2016

The Jazz center dominated the game (and his bout with Gasol) on both sides of the ball to lead the Jazz to a 82-73 win.

Gobert finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots in the game. The points are the big number here, and it becomes even more impressive when you consider that he scored them on a perfect 9-for-9 shooting. However, the key to Utah’s win was the way Gobert imposed his will on Gasol defensively.

Largely flying solo, Gobert helped the Jazz hold Gasol to a dismal eight-point effort on 4-of-22 shooting. It was Gasol’s lowest scoring output in nearly a month, but he wasn’t the only Memphis player who faltered in the face of Gobert’s pressure. As a team, the Grizzlies made just 19-of-47 shots for 40 percent in the paint.

Overall, the Jazz outscored the Grizzlies by 16 when Gobert was on the floor. Conversely, the Grizz were 18 points worse with Gasol in the game, thanks in large part to Gobert’s stifling defense.

Jazz star Gordon Hayward was his also his usual, solid self, scoring 22 points to go with seven rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals. Meanwhile, Shelvin Mack had another strong performance off the bench with 10 points.

The two were especially important late in the game when three-pointers from each pushed it from a one-possession game to a seven-point lead with time running out. It was a push that Memphis never quite recovered from.

In the end, though, it was Gobert and his ownage of arguably the league’s best center that told the tale. Who knows — a few more nights like this from the big man and Gasol’s perceived stranglehold over things All-Star spots may just loosen up a bit.

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With the win, Utah captured its 11th positive result in 13 tries and fourth-straight victory overall. The team now holds the no. 5 spot in the Western Conference. Gobert and the Jazz will be back in action on Tuesday night with a showdown against the Warriors.