The Utah Jazz are currently tied for 5th place in the Western Conference at 24-16 with the Memphis Grizzlies, proving themselves to be one of the most competitive teams in the NBA. The Jazz have won 6 of their last 10 games and are coming off of a 100-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier today.
Currently ranked 26th in points per game (98.4) and 27th in assists (18.9), the Jazz are clearly not winning games because of their offense. Though to be clear, Gordon Hayward is doing his part on offense, putting up 22.0 points per game on 45.0% shooting from the field and 37.3% from 3-point range while guys like George Hill (18.5 points per game) and Rodney Hood (13.5 points per game) are also finding success at putting the ball in the basket.
The Jazz have guys who can shoot the ball, but defense is definitely their calling card. The Jazz rank 1st in opponents points per game (94.9), 1st in opponent field goal percentage (42.9%), 5th in opponents second chance points (11.8 second chance points per game), and 1st in overall team defensive rating (101.4). They are also middle of the pack in rebounding, so they're doing a good job at controlling the boards. But, more than anything, they are just making it very difficult for opponents to score, which at the end of the day is what defense is all about.
The anchor of this Utah Jazz defense is Rudy Gobert, who is averaging 12.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. Rudy Gobert is an elite defensive presence in the paint due to his length, quickness, and freakish athleticism. Gobert is doing a fantastic job at protecting the rim, making it very difficult for opponents to score inside.
In addition to Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors is doing a stellar job at controlling the paint, averaging 8.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. Favors is proving to be a solid presence down low to accompany Gobert. As far as perimeter defense is concerned, the Jazz aren't as good, ranking 15th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage (35.7%), but they are still solid. George Hill is averaging 1.1 steals per game while Gordon Hayward averages 1.0 steals per game, making them a solid perimeter defending duo.
But, what really is making this Utah Jazz team dangerous is their interior defense. Together, Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors guard the paint as if their very lives depend on it. They are really doing a stellar job at forcing teams to take difficult shots inside, which leads to easy baskets in transition on the other end.
At this point of the season, all I can say about the Utah Jazz is that provided they can get fully healthy, they should able to win a playoff series this year. Derrick Favors, George Hill, Dante Exum, and Alec Burks have all missed games due to injury, but with everybody now getting back to full strength, this team appears capable of climbing up the Western Conference standings and living up to the preseason hype.
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Note: This blog post also appears on my Utah Jazz blog. utahjazz406.blogspot.com. Click here to check it out.
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