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The Utah Jazz dominated the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter with really strong rotations on offense and defense. And that was basically it. The Nuggets couldn't match up against the Jazz' size, and couldn't make a dent in the lead until it was extensive garbage time. Effectively everything that went right for Denver went wrong in Utah. Their threes weren't falling (7/33, 21.2%), they weren't winning the hustle stats, and just in general no one seemed to be trying out there except for Kenneth Faried (19/10), and then in garbage time Will Barton (13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals). But to be fair to Denver, this game wasn't about them at all.
It was about the young Utah Jazz players coming out there, exerting their will, and dominating. They shared the ball, rotated on defense, and won most of the 50/50 balls. Dante Exum had a career high 12 assists (3 turn overs), and Rudy Gobert a career high 20 points (7/7 shooting, 6/11 from the line). Rudy also added 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. He is such a beast, and I am so happy he was stolen from the Nuggets.
Derrick Favors had 19 and 7, with three blocks; Gordon Hayward didn't shoot well, but still managed to give Denver 13, 3, 2, 1, and 1. Off the bench Trey Burke added 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists (1 turn over), and was a +15 in +/-. Rudy and Elijah Millsap were +20. Minisap had 9 boards from the SG spot.
Jack Cooley brought the house down with his great play in one minute of action. He was robbed of a block, but still managed to take three shots, make three points (1 FG, 1 FT), grab 2 rebounds, and also have another block. (As of the ESPN box score I am reading right now).
It wasn't an end to end victory for the Jazz who were down by 7 after one, but it was a victory for the team that went big, and played big. And that was the Jazz.
Seven more games left Jazz fans. Next one is on Saturday, at the Kings.