The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz at New Orleans: Rudy Gobert vs Anthony Davis (Maybe?)

By Hayden Van de Maat

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 08: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz is blocked by Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center on February 8, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 08: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz is blocked by Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center on February 8, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz will roll into New Orleans to take on the Pelicans in what could be the most important game of the stretch run. Although Anthony Davis sitting out would go a long way in ensuring a Jazz win, a one-on-one battle between he and the Stifle Tower would be intriguing to watch.

The Utah Jazz have won 17 of their last 19 games, including 10 straight on the road, and they’re carrying an active five game win streak into the Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans, who are also jostling for position in the hotly contested playoff race.

Although it seems the Jazz have gotten better in a variety of ways, Rudy Gobert stands out as the most essential part in resurrecting their season. Upon his return, Utah instantly reclaimed their identity as the NBA’s best defense, and they’ve done so in convincing fashion.

More from Jazz News

In 22 games since the return of Gobzilla, the Jazz are holding teams to 97.6 points per 100 possessions, which is leading the NBA by an astounding margin. The Toronto Raptors have had the second best defensive rating in the league over this stretch, holding teams to 101.6 points per 100 possessions.

So the Jazz are three points better per 100 possessions than the second best defense since Rudy came back into the lineup.

During the prior 15 game stretch in which Rudy did not play, the Jazz had the 28th best defense in the league with a defensive rating of 111.8. This is why Rudy Gobert should unquestionably take home the Defensive Player of the Year.

However, the Stifle Tower is set to play against the hottest big man in the NBA in Anthony Davis. If he plays, that is. Davis suffered a left ankle sprain during their road win in Sacramento and sat out during their next game, which just happened to be a blowout loss against Washington.

This is not a coincidence. When A.D. doesn’t play, the Pelicans are simply not a good team. That is a testament to the quality of Davis as a player because recently, he’s carried a team with no defense, no firepower and no depth on a 10 game win streak.

Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz /

Utah Jazz

During this streak, Davis has averaged a whopping 35.6 points on 54 percent shooting and 44 percent from deep, to go along with 13.6 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 3.1 blocks. No…that is not a typo. He is indeed averaging those numbers.

The only downside to this is that he’s been forced to play 38 minutes a night with an enormous workload. And it would be safe to assume that this contributed to the injury that may hold him out against the Jazz.

It’s my personal opinion that if the Pelicans can hold onto a top four seed in the Western Conference, Davis deserves to be in the MVP conversation.

The five-time All-Star is listed as a game time decision, so expect to hear an update during shootaround. With this game holding so much meaning for both teams, it’s hard to see him sitting this one out. The Jazz lead the season series 2-1 against the Pels and FiveThirtyEight has the two being separated by just one game by the time the playoffs come around.

If Davis plays, this should be a very hard-fought battle. But if he doesn’t, the Jazz clearly have the upper hand on paper. Although, it may create some lineup problems for Quin Snyder. Emeka Okafor would start at center with Nikola Mirotic playing the four, but we would see a lineup at some stage with Mirotic at the five. This would be very difficult for the Jazz to contain defensively because he’s a difficult cover for both Favors and Gobert on the perimeter.

Next: Utah Jazz-Pelicans: Keys to winning the series matchup against the Pels

Nonetheless, expect the Jazz to be heavy favorites if Davis rides the pine. Let’s see if Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz have what it takes to get a sixth straight win against a conference rival with the stakes at their highest.

Statistics courtesy of Basketball Reference and NBA.com.

Home/Jazz News