Winless at Home
As I’ve noted several times, the season is still very young. However, that doesn’t change the fact that Utah’s winless home record is a disappointing sign. Sure, the only teams they’ve played within the friendly confines of Vivint Smart Home Arena are the defending champion Golden State Warriors and a Memphis Grizzlies team (twice) that apparently is a very poor matchup, but still an 0-3 start at home isn’t what anyone foresaw to start this season.
Expectations were high that the Jazz could post a dominant home court advantage this season, the likes of which haven’t been seen since the days of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. Perhaps Utah will reverse their fate and become that stingy home team they once were, but it surely hasn’t happened yet this year.
And while all games count the same, be it at home or on the road, failing to win a game in front of the home crowd is bad for fan and team morale, and simply sets a bad tone on the early part of the season. The Jazz’s next home opponent is the Toronto Raptors and shortly thereafter, they’ll host the Boston Celtics. That gives them little time to turn their home court woes around before some daunting opponents come in.
It should be Utah’s goal that teams are nervous and uncomfortable to come play in Salt Lake City. So far, visiting teams have been given free reign and have been able to topple the Jazz at home without a second thought.