My Take: Jazz vs. Bobcats

Posted by David Locke on December 20, 2007

‘Rough Air Ahead’ (Kent Smith – NBAE/Getty Images)

FINAL SCORE — BOBCATS 98 JAZZ 92
This is really hard to fathom. I am at a loss as I am sure most people around the Jazz are.
It was 86-74 and the Jazz were in control.
This is not a new story that is what is really disturbing
The Bobcats went zone and ran the high pick and roll and the Jazz can’t deal with ether one.
Other teams are just putting Boozer in the high pick and roll and making him defend. The Bobcats ran it with Nazr Mohhamed instead of Okafor that is telling.
The Jazz just collapsed offensively.
They had two field goals in the final 12 meaningful possessions. One was against the man.
They went 1 for 10 once they went to the zone.
The Bobcats scored on 10 of the final 12 possessions.

3:24 4th Quarter — Bobcats 87 Jazz 86
Run is now 13-0
Sure enough Bobcats go to a zone and run the high pick and roll and we have no answer for either.

4:38 4th Quarter — Jazz 86 Bobcats 81
Cats on 7-0 run. Jazz were up 12.
Hard to believe the Bobcats aren’t running high pick and rolls or zone on defense. Makes you wonder about a rookie head coach
Jazz offense was brilliant early but has started to fade. Let’s see if they can get it together.

8:58 4th Quarter — Jazz 77 Bobcats 70
Jason Hart has hit back to back three’s — you need to win when that happens
Jazz have run through their set on every possession of the 4th
Okafor is really really limited on offense. He is like Mutombo.

End of 3rd Quarter — Jazz 69 Bobcats 67
Here we go. There is no reason to lose this game. They don’t have their leading scorer. They don;t have a single player that can score in the half court (maybe Richardson). If you play smart they shouldn’t be able to score and beat you. Moreover, if the Jazz execute they are getting good looks.
My only concern is the zone by Charlotte.
Jaron Collins is back and playing very well.
This is big. Only because another lose would be a huge blow. A win could give a little confidence.

2:58 3rd Quarter — Bobcats 65 Jazz 64
The offensive game has finally arrived
Jazz had three straight possessions when they got lay-ups. A sign of offensive execution.
The Bobcats are without Gerald Wallace who got hit by Jarron Collins.
Another close game and we will see how the Jazz react
The Bobcats keep flashing the zone for a possession or two. Will they go to in the 4th,

Halfrime — Jazz 43 Bobcats 43
Giricek and Sloan got into it and Sloan sent Giri to the locker-room. Is this the final chapter in that feud
Defense was better by the Jazz. Offensively they couldn’t convert.
Jazz got some opportunities to get out and run.
They just couldn’t link it into a run. The chances are their for the 10-0 run that ends the game they just haven’t been able to complete the plays.

2nd Quarter — Jazz 34 Bobcats 30
Jazz have shown some nice spurts.
Defensively they got a collection of stops
Hart and D-Will are playing together and it seems to be working.

End of 1st Quarter – Bobcats 21 Jazz 19
Very sluggish first quarter
Jazz defense may have been better or the game dictated it – I am not sure
The drop off from a healthy Matt Harpring to CJ Miles is really significant.
Fesenko is getting big time with Collins now out with an injury. Memo and Harpring are not available either.

2:25 1st Quarter — Bobcats 18 Jazz 16
Gerald Wallace has 10 points in the Quarter
Not sure if the bad defense makes me focus on everything and not realize this happens all the time but when you micro analyze each possession you see a lot of mistakes. CJ over playing an unlikely steal giving Wallace a path to the basket. Boozer not helping at all on the curls or on the pick and roll. Does this happen all around the league or is it just to Utah? That I don’t know

STARTING LINE-UPS
Jazz: Deron, Ronnie, AK, Carlos Boozer, Jaron Collins
Bobcats: Raymond Felton, Jason Richardson, Gerald Wallace, Emaka Okafor, Nazr Mohammed

STATS — 2007-08 SEASON
Note: Efficiency Stats are based on possession. Therefore, equalizing for pace of play. Efficiency rankings are based upon 100 possessions. Example: The Jazz average 111.1 pts per 100 possessions

Pace: Jazz 93.6 possessions per game (8th in NBA) Bobcats 89.3 (19th in the NBA)
Offensive Efficiency: Jazz 112.0 (6th in NBA) Bobcats 102.1 (24th in the NBA)
Defensive Efficiency: Jazz 107.6 (18th in NBA) Bobcats 109.7 (24th in the NBA)
Jazz Defensive Glass: Jazz Def Reb % – 76% (21st in NBA) Bobcats Off Reb % – 28.2% (11th)
Bobcats Defensive Glass: Jazz Off Reb % – 32% (1st in NBA) Bobcats Def Reb % -70% (28th)

Officials
Luis Grillo, Ron Olesiak and Bob Delaney

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