The Utah Jazz lost to the division rival Denver Nuggets with a deceptive final score of 99-91. Former Jazzman Trey Lyles posted a career-high 26 points.
We’re past the point of concern for the Utah Jazz this season. At this point, it is probably time to start focusing on next season rather than think about playoff hopes for this season.
One of the more depressing statistics of the season thus far is the road performance. The Jazz are now just ahead of the Atlanta Hawks for worst road record in the NBA at 3-16. Atlanta is only slightly worse at 3-17 on the road.
The game against Denver was no exception as the road woes continued. After the first half, it looked like Utah had a chance to improve their road record and led by three, but in the third quarter, all the wheels came off in what’s been a continuing and concerning trend of 3rd quarter performance woes.
We’ve talked before about how the Jazz are one of the best defensive teams at home and the third worst on the road. Well, home or away, the Jazz are the 29th best defense in the NBA during the third quarter.
So, rather than analyze to death in what’s basically another road loss where the same issues have been present, namely slow second half starts and lack of focus and intensity, I wanted to tell the story through the eyes of Twitter.
Donovan Mitchell, passer extraordinaire
Highlights first, commentary afterward. Sadly, there would be more highlights if more open looks had fallen.
Thabo with the left.#UTAatDEN https://t.co/Bvj3rmxFb0
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 6, 2018
Bottom 👌@ThaboSefolosha #UTAatDEN https://t.co/ZJ82x8Z9gy
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 6, 2018
Next, notice the timestamps on these tweets. These are NOT all about a single incredible play, but rather a demonstration of insane passing ability and vision that was showcased all night.
I have no idea how Donovan Mitchell could've possibly seen Joe Johnson on that pass.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) January 6, 2018
Donovan Mitchell has thrown two mind blowing passes tonight.
— David Locke (@DLocke09) January 6, 2018
Donovan Mitchell is a wizard.
— SLC Dunk (@slcdunk) January 6, 2018
These Mitchell passes are just jaw-dropping at times. The guy is throwing laser beams out there.
— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) January 6, 2018
I'm becoming increasingly convinced that Donovan Mitchell has point guard vision and passing ability, and they've finally found their answer at that position.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) January 6, 2018
Unfortunately, Mitchell ended with only five assists in what could have been double digit assists.
Donovan Mitchell is getting a ton of hockey assists, but his passing has been ridiculous in the first half
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) January 6, 2018
Is there a reason we can't make wide open 3's when the pass comes from Donovan?
— Casey (@jazzgasm40) January 6, 2018
Nothing sums up this Jazz season better than Donovan finding Joe Ingles wide open in the corner on the first play of the game...and Joe missing. #TakeNote
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) January 6, 2018
Mitchell makes an absolutely incredible pass to Ingles, and Ingles hits the side of the backboard.
— Allen (@AllenSchow) January 6, 2018
KSL’s Andy Larsen may be right. Donovan Mitchell looks like a point guard. Personally, I believe in a future position-less NBA. Look at how James Harden and Chris Paul, both “point guards”, have played alongside each other. When you have a complete player who has scoring, playmaking, passing, vision, etc, position doesn’t matter.
Dante Exum and Donovan Mitchell should certainly be able to both play in the backcourt and utilize their skill sets, without any concern about who is “point guard”.
Wheels come off
Starting at halftime where the Jazz held a lead, I’m going to show these tweets chronologically. It will become pretty clear when things start to fall apart.
Halftime - Jazz lead it 49-46. Jazz defense has been great tonight. Nuggets offensive rating is 89.6. Quin Snyder said before the game that his team has been good for periods of time defensively on the road, but need to do it for an entire game. Is this the night
— David Locke (@DLocke09) January 6, 2018
That's really ugly stuff from Rubio, no box-out effort whatsoever and gives up 3 points to Murray in the process. Has been having a great shooting game, but you can't give away points like that.
— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) January 6, 2018
A really good block and recovery by Sefolosha is spoiled when Mason Plumlee robs Rubio and dunks it. On the next trip up, Rubio dribbles off his ankle.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) January 6, 2018
Rodney Hood immediately subs in.
Jazz are 29th ranked team defensively in 3rd quarters and it is getting them again tonight as they are on the wrong side of a 27-12
— David Locke (@DLocke09) January 6, 2018
This is the first Snyder Jazz team (at least to my memory) that has had legitimate issues with consistency in effort. They just aren't able to keep their focus for 4 quarters at a time very often.
— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) January 6, 2018
26-7 run for Denver in this 3rd quarter. It's hard for me to pinpoint an exact reason, just mistakes... Favors bobble, Rubio TO, Denver hitting 3s, etc
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) January 6, 2018
Special shoutout to Trey Lyles, who dominated his former team all night long.
The Jazz have watched Lyles run the exact same simple pick and pop about 10 times tonight. They haven't gotten it right a single time. This is about as horrible as they've looked all year in this half.
— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) January 6, 2018
Trey Lyles has 26 points which is a new career high for him.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) January 6, 2018
Former Utah Jazz forward Trey Lyles hitting his stride in the NBA https://t.co/sw9xUab1Y4 pic.twitter.com/UrRzW9rdna
— The J-Notes (@TheJNotes) January 6, 2018
All in all, this was a disastrous game in what is looking like a pretty bad first half of a season. All that said, while playoff hopes are dwindling, crazier things have happened. With Rudy’s return, some crazy moves that may just happen at the trade deadline, and an easier schedule through February and March, they may just turn things around.
Rudy assures us all will be well. Maybe we should trust him.
We will be fine
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) January 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/949516407359733761
Next: Rudy Gobert claims Utah Jazz ‘will be fine’
Regardless, Donovan and Rudy are our future. Let’s enjoy Donovan Mitchell’s emergence and savor the ride, as frustrating and discouraging as it may be.