Utah Jazz: Dante Exum is a difference-maker in win over Warriors

Slowly, but surely, Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum is getting his groove back. His skills were on full display against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

If we’re being honest, the Golden State Warriors faced long odds to beat the Utah Jazz on Sunday night. No Stephen Curry, no Kevin Durant, no Klay Thompson and no Draymond Green will always equal big problems in the Bay Area. That said, there were moments early in the game that almost made you wonder.

Until Dante Exum checked in, that is.

With the Jazz actually trailing, the former No. 5 overall pick orchestrated a 9-0 run to give his squad the lead. It was a lead they wouldn’t relinquish during what quickly morphed into a blowout.

After the game, Jazz coach Quin Snyder embraced the idea that Exum was a difference-maker in what had essentially been a must-win situation. Said Snyder —

"“He made a difference in the game. He’s able to break the line and get to the rim vertically and that’s something, against [the Warriors] with their length, we’ve traditionally had a harder time doing. When we put him in the game, he did that and it gave us a lift.”"

Exum played a season high 17 minutes on the night, scoring 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting (and 1-of-3 from distance) while adding five assists. It’s the kind of effort the Jazz could use more of as they look to lock-in their postseason credentials.

Slowly, but surely, Exum is getting his groove back. And the Jazz are beginning to have success when he’s in the game. After an initial adjustment period, the team is now outscoring the opposition by 8.4 points per 100 possessions when Exum is on the floor.

We’re only talking about a six-game sample size, but clearly progress is being made.

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Surgeries and missed time aside, he remains one of the fastest players in the Association. What’s more, Exum’s summer league mentality of attacking the basket and making plays is still intact.

His passing and court vision continue to improve as well.

Before he returned from injury, I was one who cautioned against riding the Exum hype train too hard. Even now, I would say that there’s work yet to be done.

Nevertheless, the 22-year-old clearly still has the tools to give the Jazz a boost as the playoff race comes to a close.