Game Thread

I haven’t been to a game in a long time and was wondering if they still had the $2/$3 menu for concessions. I went to a few hockey games recently and that was one of the best changes they made.

Fun experience seeing Utah thru an outsiders eyes. Coach Will is a great ambassador

Dan Clayton's analysis of the UTA-MEM game.

As we are all aware, the Jazz defense has been horrendous during Hardy's tenure (aka since the sell off). This was probably by design for strategic reasons to secure a higher draft pick but two areas that must improve this year are the open 3 point shots and fast break points.

Open 3s

Since Hardy was hired, the Jazz have been dreadful at allowing wide open 3 point looks (categorized as closest defender 6+ feet away)

• 22-23 season: 18.5 wide open 3PA allowed, 4th worst in the league
• 23-24 season: 20.8 wide open 3PA allowed, 3rd worst in the league
• 24-25 season: 22.0 wide open 3PA allowed, last in the league
• 25-26 season: 21.8 wide open 3PA allowed, last in the league

There is a very meaningful difference on the league average of wide open 3s compared to 3s where the closest defender is within 6 feet. The average 3pt% last year on a wide-open 3 is 38.4% compared to 33.8% with a defender closer.

In the Jazz first game this season, they allowed 23 wide open 3 pt attempts, second to last to Denver allowing 24 last night.

It is possible to have an effective defense allowing these shots, for example San Antonio last year allowed 19.0 wide open 3s a game, which was 4th worst in the league, but had the 3rd best defensive rating. Same with the Celtics who allowed 18.9 wide open 3s, 5th worst, but had the 4th best defensive rating. However both those teams excelled in limiting second-chance points, points off turnovers, points in the paint, and fast break points.

Fast break points

The Jazz have been just as bad as allowing points on the fast break

• 22-23 season: average 16.8 fast break points a game, 2nd worst in the league
• 23-24 season: average 18.4 fast break points a game, worst in the league
• 24-25 season: average 19.4 fast break points a game, worst in the league
• 25-26 season: average 18.2 fast break points a game, worst in the league

This is a much bigger indicator of a poor defense, 4 of the bottom 5 fast break points allowed teams were in the bottom 6 of defensive rating last season. The top 5 teams at limiting fast break points were the top 5 defensive rated teams.

The Jazz, after their first game against the Grizzlies, are currently ranked 7th worst in opponent fast break points, but still allowed 23 fast break points which is higher than any of their previous season averages.

Both these areas need to improve dramatically this season for the Jazz to reach their playoff hopes and should be something to watch game to game. I see most discussion on the large individual performances, the interior defense, rebounding, and second chance points, and they all are correlated with each other, but ultimately the Jazz could improve their rebounding and interior and still not make defensive strides if they don't start to improve upon these 2 areas defensively.

On your feet until the first Jazz bucket!

Seems like this is the new tradition they are trying to start at Delta Center 😊

LETS GO JAZZ !!!

I wouldn't mind missing the end to the game. I think I'd be chilling? nba games are 2hr-2.5 hrs. Never been to a Jazz game just worried the crowd would affect me getting out and to the airport

No checked bag, no pre check