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Utah Jazz-San Antonio Spurs: Can the Jazz top the 34-point beatdown?

By John Keeffer

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs walks the sideline in the first half of a NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs walks the sideline in the first half of a NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 2: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 2, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 2: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 2, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Contain DeMar DeRozan

The next focus is going to be keeping DeMar DeRozan in check. In my opinion, the Spurs did the best they could have done with the Kahwi Leonard trade. DeRozan has been fantastic for them, averaging 24.7 points, to go along with six assists, and nearly six rebounds. Those are fantastic numbers, and he has also been terrific in the clutch for them.

Against the Lakers just a few nights ago, he helped lead a come from behind win, dropping 36 points.

Against the Jazz last Tuesday, DeRozan finished with just 16 points. That 16-point game is sandwiched by 36-point, 32-point and 36-point outings.

If the Jazz are going to get another win against the Spurs, they need to keep DeRozan in check. That means playing sound fundamental defense; don’t leave your feet on his many pump fakes, and force him into tough, contested jumpers.

Speaking of tough, contested jumpers…

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