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The Utah Jazz didn't have their best week of the season, but it was still worthwhile experience for the young club. They defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder at home, lost to the Golden State Warriors on the road, and then couldn't handle Anthony Davis inside, and lost a game of runs against the New Orleans Pelicans. But 1-2 isn't the end of the world. After all, we knew that our team would compete, play better basketball, but still probably struggle to finish games (as all young teams are wont to do). It's part of the learning process. And our kids are learning. I'm a little bummed that they didn't play a more complete game against the Pellies, but I don't think there's any fault for losing to a potential Western conference playoff team.
What did the rest of the world think?
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SB Nation's Drew Garrison has the Jazz +6 from last week:
19. Utah Jazz (5-9, Last week: 25)
It was a tough week for the Jazz, who allowed a career-high 43 points to Anthony Davis and got beat up by the Warriors. Utah's frontcourt defense has been questionable through the start of the season; this play, no matter the situation, is a poor showing from Derrick Favors:
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ESPN's Marc Stein has the Jazz -2 from last week:
22. Utah Jazz (5-9, Last week: 20)
Disconcerting as it is to see Trey Burke, even after that game winner at Madison Square Garden, mired at 34.6 percent from the field, one look at Gordon Hayward's stat line since getting that four-year max contract has to lift Jazz spirits: 19.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.3 APG and a robust PER of 22.45.
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These are coming tomorrow!
CBS Sport's Matt Moore has the Jazz INTERGER from last week:
xx. Utah Jazz (5-9, Last week: 19)
Words
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Sports Illustrated's Matt Dollinger has the Jazz -1 from last week:
22. Utah Jazz (5-9, Last week: 21)
Trey Burke scored a season-high 20 points Saturday, marking just the second time this season he's shot above 50 percent from the field. Utah needs that type of production to remain a feel-good story.
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NBA.com's John Schuhmann has the Jazz +0 from last week:
22. Utah Jazz (5-9, Last week: 22)
Pace: 93.0 (27th), OFF RTG 104.5 (13th), DEF RTG 108.2 (27th), Net RTG -3.7 (22nd)
Is it time for Rudy Gobert to see an increased role? The Jazz defense has been pretty terrible with Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter on the floor, and Gobert has strong rim protection numbers. He isn't any kind of a threat outside of three feet, but he can almost dunk without jumping. Favors and Gobert have played just one minute together.
This week: vs. CHI, @ OKC, vs. LAC
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Okay, so +6, +0, -2, -1 -- which means that overall we're viewed better, even if we're still waiting for Matt Moore's opinion. (And I would, because it's worth it) I think the Jazz are a better team, even if they aren't winning against playoff squads in back to back games. The team is going to improve as the season goes on, and so too will the national perception of the Jazz.