Jazz Can’t Prevent Rockets Launch

Posted by Johnathan Kendrick on November 03, 2009

I know it’s a cheesy title. I didn’t want to start this blog that way, but after watching the game, I really didn’t feel I had a choice. In a game where not a lot went right – I saw one area that went horribly wrong.  While the Jazz didn’t play well in any area, they lost this game defensively from the three point line in a very short span in the fourth quarter. 

You can say what you want about how the Jazz played against Houston on Monday night. Deron Williams 6 for 20 shooting performance (That’s an awful 30%). Boozer and Millsap combining for 9 points in 58 minutes (that’s one point every 6 and half minutes). The Jazz had 19 turnovers and were out rebounded badly at home (by the worst rebounding team in the Association). The Jazz again disappeared in the 4^th quarter (remember Denver). You can point to any of those areas and make an argument that it was the reason the Jazz lost. Or point to all those reasons and say collectively that is why they lost the game.  However, the Jazz were outplayed most of the night and despite everything the game was tied with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. What changed the game was when the Jazz left the Rockets open on the three point line in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Rockets hit 5 out of 6 wide open 3 point shots and pulled away easy. 

Last year there was a lot of talk about the Jazz interior defense.  It was also the emphasis of training camp with Boozer and Okur taking the brunt of the teams “soft” defensive play.  The Jazz need to pay more attention to their perimeter defense.  This game wasn’t lost in the paint; it was lost in the parking lot.

Houston
Points per 2pt shot attempt: .98
Points per 3pt shot attempt: 1.57 (2.5 points per 3pt shot in the 4^th quarter)

Utah
Points per 2pt shot attempt: .96
Points per 3pt shot attempt: .81

6 Comments

Mal on November 03, 2009 said:

Amen, amen! PLEASE GUARD THE THREE JERRY. It’s killing us.

Diana on November 03, 2009 said:

everything about this game stunk. No one is held accountable for the awful play the Jazz displayed so doubt it will change soon.

mr.jazz on November 03, 2009 said:

well i just watched the dallas game and boy do we suck! i have completely given up on the jazz. i dont think we will make the playoffs. we suck! we were up by 14 at the beginning of the 4th. will someone stop fouling dirk.dirk scored like 30 points in the last quarter.

thanks
my Jazz fan inside me is really dissapointed

ranell on November 04, 2009 said:

I’m a jazz fan….but I’m really disappointed the way they played the last four games….jazz wont make it on the playoff

French Dude on November 04, 2009 said:

TRADE THEM ALL…..

Boondock Saint (Zak) on November 04, 2009 said:

I don’t know why I do this to myself…..sigh. I’ve been sick for a couple of days but have watched both Jazz games and, as you might guess, they’ve made me even sicker. Yet, I still came back here on my first day back at work, part of my morning ritual, despite knowing what I’d be reading. Sigh….my anger has all fizzled out and its just a quiet disappointment at our performance. I hate the cliche…they didn’t beat us, we beat ourselves….and I NEVER use it because I think for the most part its untrue but Denver, Houston and Dallas….I watched the truth of it. Something is going on behind the scenes. No proof…just a gut feeling because in the 4th quarter when you really need the trust, team will and passion to win there isn’t ANY. Not just a poor effort…NO EFFORT, NO TRUST, NO PASSION. What the freak?! All is not right in Jazzland.

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