The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Keys to getting revenge against the pesky Timberwolves

By John Keeffer

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on October 20, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 100-97. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on October 20, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 100-97. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 05: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball defended by Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets in the first half at Toyota Center on November 05, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 05: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball defended by Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets in the first half at Toyota Center on November 05, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Hood, Mitchell and Ingles must provide offense

Last week, the Jazz offense hit a low point. Against the Philadelphia 76ers, they shot 30.3 percent from the field, and a meager 23.1 percent from distance. They weren’t taking erratic shots or breaking away from the offense to force things. Instead, the shots just weren’t falling.

I was at that game; it was hard to watch. They kept things close with their typical solid defense, but lost to the Sixers, 104-97.

Looking to rebound against the Miami Heat, they started off strong in the first half, only to completely fall apart in the second, making only one field goal during the third quarter, and only four field goals in the entire second half.

Moreover, they didn’t make a single three, and shot an absolutely dreadful 12.1 percent from the field.

The Jazz rebounded against the Brooklyn Nets, and they will have to carry that momentum into Monday’s matchup against the Timberwolves.

The Jazz don’t have a ton of shooters, so they need those who are capable to make shots. I know that sounds obvious, but this is a make or miss league. That was the case against the Nets, as Donovan Mitchell finished with 26 points, Rodney Hood with 19 and Joe Ingles with 17.

On average, Minnesota scores 10 more points per game than the Jazz. Much of that production comes from their star wings, Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins. For the Jazz to have a chance to win this game, they are going to need our go-to wings to match the scoring output of Butler and Wiggins.

Since being moved to the bench, Hood has played with much more aggression on the offensive end. We billed Hood as the No. 1 offensive option, and maybe he still is, but some players just feel more comfortable coming off the bench. That will need to continue.

Mitchell is looking more and more comfortable playing against NBA defenses, and is building a case for Rookie of the Year honors.

If the wings can carry over the momentum from the Nets victory, the Jazz will have a strong opportunity to win this game.

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