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Ground Rules
Welcome to the SLC Dunk Live Thread. This is new as we’ll have game updates throughout it. Dunkers know how this thing works, but for you lurkers ready to make the jump to Dunker, we have a few guidelines. Remember to follow our community guidelines (no swearing, trolling, excessive use of Jerry Sloan’s name in vain, no personal attacks, no debates about Utah liquor laws, etc.). Remember to have fun. Anyone who dare blasphemes that Tim Duncan was a Power Forward or John Stockton is not the best point guard of all-time will receive an automatic ban. Just kidding. But seriously.
4th Quarter
Utah Jazz 87 - Houston Rockets 100
This is what happens when you run out of weapons and options. The Houston Rockets have been where the Utah Jazz are. Built to their peak but just missing that one extra piece. Now with Chris Paul, they’re unstoppable. The fact that Utah has stolen one game in this series while down their starting point guard is enough to start writing the silver lining story about this Jazz team. The fact that Utah is even hear is enough to write every single silver lining. But that would be disrespectful for this Utah Jazz team. They have time and time again not settled for good enough. They haven’t used their shortcomings as an excuse.
Donovan Mitchell finally got going in this game, but it was after he started out the game slow. He finished with 25 points and got to the line 7 times. But he finished 8 for 24. He had 9 rebounds and 4 steals. Beyond Joe Ingles (15) and Rudy Gobert (11), no Jazz player was in double figures. Utah losing Dante Exum to a hamstring soreness was the nail in the coffin tonight. Utah was starting to gain momentum and Exum’s injury sucked all the air out of the building. Luckily, it’s only hamstring soreness so he won’t go into yet another offseason recovering from a major injury.
If this was the last game Jazz fans see at home of their team, they should be proud. Against all odds, injuries, and a Sunday start time (REALLY, NBA?), the Utah Jazz fought hard, never gave up, and, at the end of day, succumbed to a team that is probably the best offensive team in the game right now and is starting to figure itself out defensively. If Houston continues, then the Western Conference Finals will in actuality be the NBA Finals.
I don’t think it’s going to be enough against Houston but Mitchell has been a bit possessed the last few minutes.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) May 7, 2018
Donovan Mitchell cares not for your *checks Harden and CP3s playoff histories* ... distinguished and unmarked playoff glories?
— Danny Marang (@DMarang) May 7, 2018
Was in the moment here so couldn’t tweet about it... but how about PJ Tucker sliding 5 feet with the ball? Lol. Good hell.
— Spencer Wixom (@JazzJargon) May 7, 2018
Brilliant play by Quin Snyder. The old Donovan Mitchell misses a dunk to set up the Raul Neto corner 3 set.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) May 7, 2018
If Joe Ingles dunks, we're practically legally obligated to share it with you pic.twitter.com/mXytaao5z9
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) May 7, 2018
3rd Quarter
A story in two acts. pic.twitter.com/u93Vomzqmw
— “Playoff SLC D” (@slcdunk) May 7, 2018
— “Playoff SLC D” (@slcdunk) May 7, 2018
Hope that is a cramp, but it is probably worse. https://t.co/7GLyDk1SM4
— David James (@DavidDJJames) May 7, 2018
Exum is hurt. He hobbled off the court and collapsed in the tunnel.
— “Playoff SLC D” (@slcdunk) May 7, 2018
Very. Solid. Play.
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) May 7, 2018
CC: @LeighEllis pic.twitter.com/0U5YZUkdtK
JINGLED pic.twitter.com/gcF72nrP3I
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) May 7, 2018
Joe Ingles highlights are the best highlights. You don't even need slow-mo to appreciate them.
— “Playoff SLC D” (@slcdunk) May 7, 2018
2nd Quarter
Utah Jazz 48 - Houston Rockets 58
Utah actually played a much better quarter. They were only outscored by 3 but the Houston Rockets punched back every time Utah got a clean hit. James Harden has 18 points and Chris Paul has 12 points. The rest of Houston’s role players haven’t had a monster impact. The biggest development was Donovan Mitchell finally figuring out Houston’s defense, ergo Clint Capela. He has 15 points, Dante Exum has 9 points. Utah needs everyone else to step up. They can’t have Joe Ingles be in single digits or they lose this game. Same goes for Gobert. This game is actually way closer than the score appears. Utah’s defense is doing it’s part holding back Houston’s monster of an offense, but Utah can’t bumble their way on their offensive end and expect their defense to bail them out.
Chris Paul would rather try and draw a foul for 3 seconds in the backcourt off a steal than take advantage of a 5-on-3 if he gets past his defender. This yalls Point God. Don’t forget this in two weeks.
— Andy Liu (@AndyKHLiu) May 7, 2018
For the Jazz, Donovan Mitchell leads the way with 15 points....Royce O'Neale has 8 points and 4 rebounds...Dante Exum has 9 points
— Tony Jones (@tribjazz) May 7, 2018
This Mitchell fellow may have a future in this league
— Justin Rowan (@Cavsanada) May 7, 2018
Donovan Mitchell is attacking the basket and starting to see results. When he settles for those treys, he lets up on the defense.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) May 7, 2018
Tell me who did this to
— Tas Melas (@TasMelas) May 7, 2018
you, Joe. pic.twitter.com/aWz7v3lPEz
ROYCE O'NEALE CAME TO PLAY pic.twitter.com/59Os7HF0EU
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 7, 2018
Tucker with intentional contact to Ingles face
— Jordan Cummings (@j_d_cummings) May 7, 2018
Should be flagrant
Can confirm Shareef O’Neal’s leg is feeling better pic.twitter.com/UjLSIqozMX
— Pettywise (@World_Wide_Wob) May 7, 2018
OH MY ***, ROYCE O'NEALE JUST KILLED A MAN TO WATCH HIM TO DIE.
— “Playoff SLC D” (@slcdunk) May 7, 2018
Donovan Mitchell spinning inside! ️ ️#TakeNote #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/06j2fIkWHP
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2018
James Harden could get a DMV to apologize to him.
— “Playoff SLC D” (@slcdunk) May 7, 2018
Donovan Mitchell time to start asserting yourself on offense...
— Bill Riley (@espn700bill) May 7, 2018
He's barely touched the ball since checking in. https://t.co/MUd1BReViZ
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) May 7, 2018
When TNT changes camera angles. pic.twitter.com/0rBZfKkZXg
— “Playoff SLC D” (@slcdunk) May 7, 2018
Handles so Ex-y#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/m8Da2Dyjio
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) May 7, 2018
This series is tip toeing on the edge of a volcano.
— “Playoff SLC D” (@slcdunk) May 7, 2018
1st Quarter
Utah Jazz 23 - Houston Rockets 30
Utah’s defense came to play tonight. When you look at Houston’s scoring total you might not think so, but Utah’s defense has made them work. Unfortunately, to beat the Rockets you need your offense to step up. Harden continues to be referees like he’s covered in bubble wrap. He’s put Dante Exum in foul trouble after referees bought into his theatrics. Donovan Mitchell hasn’t exploded tonight while Utah has been using him as a decoy. Jazz are missing Rubio.
Dante Exum has put in big time minutes, but so far he’s the Royce O’Neale of this game. A role player having a big game while no one else has shown up.
Little known fact: Dante Exum works part-time as Ronald Reagan's star wars defense system.
— “Playoff SLC D” (@slcdunk) May 7, 2018
[on the freeway]
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) May 7, 2018
*james harden swerves out of his lane to smash his car into yours*
HARDEN: your fault
Jazz's defense now has 5 blocks. If only blocks counted as points.
— “Playoff SLC D” (@slcdunk) May 7, 2018
O'Neale is back on the bench
— Tony Jones (@tribjazz) May 7, 2018
That did not look good for Royce O’Neale, the undrafted rookie who has given the Jazz his all the whole season. Hope for good news. #HOUatUTA
— David J. Smith (@davidjsmith1232) May 7, 2018
The French Rejection pic.twitter.com/rYQTwQSNTI
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 7, 2018
Royce O'Neale is hurt. He had to sit down on the court. Might've banged knees with Harden.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) May 7, 2018
Pregame
So you know: tonight's game clock is cruising, on pace for an exact 6:00 p.m. start. None of this 6:10 stuff. So tune in on time!
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) May 6, 2018
5:48pm. We’re about 10 minutes out from the start of this game. While the Jazz are only down in this series 2-1, tonight feels like an elimination game for Utah. Utah will be without Ricky Rubio’s services once again as he is still rehabbing that sore hamstring. Derrick Favors will be limited tonight but still play. That will force Jae Crowder into the starting lineup. Even with a healthy Favors, it was hard to imagine an outcome in which Crowder wasn’t starting at this juncture. Houston’s stretch offense has made it impossible for Utah to keep Favors and Gobert together. Utah was not able to impose their size on Houston so they had to relent and make the counter. Now it’s up to Quin Snyder to force Houston to make the next move.
A surprise attendee for Game 4 of Rockets-Jazz: former NBA Commissioner David Stern.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 6, 2018
warms up the handles! #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/VVtMKOnocL
— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2018
That may have made sense even with a healthy Fav, given how the Jazz have struggled defensively with both Favors and Gobert on the floor at the same time. https://t.co/wOEfZZIvf7
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) May 6, 2018
Derrick Favors will play, Jae Crowder will start tonight.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) May 6, 2018
A conduct advisory can be found on courtside seats at Vivint Arena before Game 4 #nba #UtahJazz pic.twitter.com/ixr5oZi8Nn
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) May 6, 2018
Game Info
When: 6:00PM MT • Sunday May 6, 2018
Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena · Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: TNT
Radio: 1280 AM/97.5 FM The Zone,
Injuries:
Utah Jazz:
Thabo Sefolosha - Knee - OUT
Ricky Rubio - Hamstring - OUT
Pride - Punch to the gut - Game time Decision
No one.