The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: Four reasons to feel encouraged about Utah’s chances against Houston

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 2: on February 2, 2019 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 2: on February 2, 2019 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket defended by Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets in the first half at Toyota Center on December 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket defended by Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets in the first half at Toyota Center on December 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Mitchell much improved from a season ago

If there were an award for most improved player that was awarded solely for a turnaround comparing the second half of a season to the first half of the season, Donovan Mitchell could very well be a candidate. His post-All-Star numbers were incredibly better than those prior to the break. He upped his points per game from 22.4 to 26.7, his field goal percentage from 41.8 to 46.1 and his 3-point percentage from 32.2 to 45.1.

In the month of April, he put up a whopping 28.4 points per contest on 50 percent shooting from deep. Make no mistake about it, Spida is playoff ready. And he’s shown it in every single way. Along those lines, he’s clearly a much more polished player than a year ago in the series against Houston when he averaged just 19.4 points and shot 36 percent from the field and 25 percent from three.

Mitchell’s much more comfortable playing at the one or two spot, has improved incredibly as a decision maker and playmaker, and will be primed to step up to whatever task the Jazz need of him. His efficiency was down in last year’s playoff series against Houston, but if his recent hyper-efficiency is any indication, he’s in for a great series. And as a result, the Jazz should prove much more dangerous than they’re getting credit for.

Not only that, but he won’t have nearly as daunting of individual matchups to have to score against. Which brings us to our next point…

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