Game 6 Formula

Posted by David Locke on May 01, 2008

Yesterday, we took a moment to put things into perspective about where the series stands.  A home game to win the series is all you can ask for.  However, there are some areas of concern.  Things are not flowing freely for the Jazz offensively, and in the two of the last three games, the defense has broken down a bit.  Remember, the other guys are good too.

With that said, here are some of the areas that need to be improved:

React to Adjustments

The Rockets made two significant changes in how they did things in Game 5.  First they isolated both Luis Scola and Carl Landry in the post offensively.  The floor was spaced very well, and the Rockets big men moved by the Jazz bigs, with no difficulty at all.  This is concerning because if the Jazz need to bring help, it could open up the three point shooting the Jazz have shut down for most of the series.

The Rockets are no longer playing diminutive rookie Aaron Brooks.  Instead, Rick Adelman played Luther Head with Bobby Jacskon, when they went to the bench.  Deron was have a field day with Brooks, but Jackson is bigger and a much better defender.  Head is a good shooter who the Jazz can’t leave on the outside.  The Jazz need to re-gain the advantage on the bench.

Need Improvement

As I documented before Game 5, the leader after one quarter has won each game.  The Jazz are not getting a strong first quarter from Carlos Boozer.  In the first quarter of the series, Boozer is just 8 of 24 from the field.  The real issue is, he is not hitting his mid-range jumper.  He is 3 for 14 on shots outside of 10 feet.

In Game 5, Boozer was noticeably frustrated when he missed his shots.  The home crowd needs to give him comfort so he can nail that shot.

These all may be related, but the Jazz offense has struggled over the last 10 quarters of the series.  The Jazz and Rockets have played 20 quarters of basketball.  If you split the first 10, and the second 10, you can see how this series has swung.

First 10 quarters Jazz Offensive Efficiency = 110.8
Second 10 quarter Jazz Offensive Efficiency = 93.7

I think it would be fair to say the Jazz have an offensive problem right now.  The Rockets defense is ranked #2 in the NBA, and they are winning the battle of the Jazz strength vs. the Rockets strength.  Defensively the Jazz are slightly off, but it is probably in part due to the offensive slide.

First 10 quarters Jazz Defensive Efficiency = 98.9
Second 10 quarters Jazz Defensive Efficiency = 102.8

This may be the answer to the above issue.  The Rockets have completely taken away Kyle Korver and his outside game.  Korver is just 3 for 15 from the three point line.  In Game 4, Korver did a nice job of pump faking, and getting to the mid-range jumper.  However, for the entire series Korver is just 11 of 28.

This doesn’t mean Korver has lost value.The Rockets are guarding him tightly, which is opening things up for other players on the floor.  This is best shown while Korver is on the floor.  In this series (101 mins,) the Jazz have outscored the Rockets by 11 points, and when he has been on the bench (139 mins,) they have been outscored by 28 points.

One more day till we get to explode.

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4 Comments

Amir on May 01, 2008 said:

i will coment on this its simple jazz must win if they loose at home tomorrow its over i wish carlos boozer is going to score more points he average 15 points per series hes going against rookies jazz i wish you the best of luck dont give up game 6 is ours houston is helples just slow down the houston and dont give tham good start if houston starts bad on begining it will be much better for jazz they want to run and gun.

Antonio on May 01, 2008 said:

Utah fans,

One word, “Dirty!’” It’s terrible that Utah plays dirty, fouls at every chance and still cries about calls. I’m not taking anything away from the great players this team has or the hustle they give on a day in day out basis but stop being dirty, stop crying about calls and start playing. These teams have history together and this year history will sway the Rockets way. Utah will lose this series!! The Rockets are quicker, stronger and have a more heart. Utah has more talent but not more will to win. It will go 7 and there is absolutely no way Utah wins in Houston.

marc on May 02, 2008 said:

Go Rockets we owe yall 1 so takt this

JazzRule on May 02, 2008 said:

Last time I checked Antonio, it was not Utah at the podium complaining after every game about the calls, it was your own Rick Adelman, and Tracy McBaby. The fans may be whining, but you hear nothing of the sort from the VERY professional jazz coaches, players or staff. Jerry Sloan gives credit to your team when its due, yet your coach and players cant do the same, they whine, not very professional if you ask me. The reffing has been horrible BOTH WAYS! We have gotten away with some stuff, and been called for stuff that did not exist, same with your team. It goes both ways. Personally I would love to see them call EVERY single foul on both teams, it may seem extreme at first, but after a few games, the players would settle down and play the game. If you give exception to one you have to give it to all. IF the jazz lose this series, it is all on them. I for one will be at the arena here in Salt Lake though to do my very best to cheer my team on, make a lot of noise, and when its over, hope that the Jazz come out on top, and your rockets go home yet again! If you want to whine about the jazz, you are on the wrong forum, go cry on your own blog site.

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