The Utah Jazz fought another tough, Eastern Conference Finals aspirant tonight, and lost 92-91. This time a 1 point loss to the Miami Heat. Utah was playing without Dante Exum and Rudy Gobert. Miami without Dwyane Wade and Gerald Green. They both started players who had never started before, rookies Trey Lyles for Utah and Josh Richardson for Miami. And, let's be real, when the schedule came out no one thought that this was going to be a Jazz win. Without Gobert it wasn't supposed to be that close even. Yet, through the efforts of Gordon Hayward early, Alec Burks late, and Derrick Favors all game long the team had a chance at the end.
I did not watch the entire game because tonight was one of those nights where "that couple" comes over to visit you even though you don't like them, but for some reason your spouse invites them over without telling you. Because. You know? That's something we have to put up with. Well, I missed most of the game so take what I have to say with a grain of salt . . . but against a big Miami team why do you go small? Jeff Withey didn't play a single minute. Tibor Pleiss got in for a few seconds. The Jazz were out rebounded and out blocked tonight. Yes, Rudy Gobert isn't there, but Dennis Lindsey brought in three seven footers for redundancy and emergency situations like this. Oh well.
Trey Lyles can be excused for many of his mistakes right now, but at least had 2 points and 5 rebounds. Trevor Booker brought energy on defense, and didn't really do much. Enes Kanter no, do not bring up Enes Kanter.
Utah fought back hard at the end, but again lost at the free throw game. Hassan Whiteside and Chris Bosh combined for 34 points, 22 rebounds, and 9 blocks. On his own, Derrick Favors had 25 points, 12 rebounds, 7 blocks, 3 steals, and 2 assists. He's not the reason why the team lost tonight.
Gordon Hayward had 24 points and 11 rebounds, he went 10/12 from the line and added 3 assists. Yes, he missed all of his four threes attempted and shot 33%, but he's the focal point of their defensive efforts. There will be games like this.
Alec Burks came off the bench to score 24 points, and went 3/3 from deep again. He also added 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.
This is a young team that is learning how to a) play in the NBA (our "vets" are just three or four guys), b) learning how to play in this system, and c) learning how to play with one another. This was supposed to be a loss when the schedule came out, and was supposed to be one without Rudy Gobert playing. So why are we so upset about this loss?
Because we know that the Utah Jazz are on the verge of being very, very good. And we are impatient! This is a good team here, and we can't wait to go crazy about them. So that's why 1 point losses to a possible NBA Finals team, on the road without two starters, makes us lose our minds.
The team plays tomorrow, the second night of a back-to-back, and the third game in four nights, against the Orlando Magic. See you then!
GO JAZZ GO!