Game 38: Utah Jazz (19-18) @ Sacramento Kings (18-15)

Crunch 99 · Post #1 » by **Crunch 99** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:13 pm

I only watched the fourth quarter closely. Markkanen scored an efficient 11 points on 5-7 shooting in Q4. He got himself open even more times, but the Jazz getting the ball to sharpshooter Markkanen for 7 shot attempts in Q4 is great progress. For the season, Markkanen is only averaging an unacceptable 3.2 fga in Q4.

Unfortunately Markkanen missed a contested final shot with one second on the clock that could have won the game. Even more unfortunate was the Jazz failure to secure a rebound on the Kings' previous possession. The Jazz were up 125-123 with 26 secs left, but then gave Sacramento three chances to tie or take the lead when the Jazz couldn't secure a rebound.

Crunch 99 · Post #2 » by **Crunch 99** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:29 pm

Sabonis got some MVP chants from Kings' fans last night while scoring 28 pts on 12-12 shooting, along with 11 rebs and 8 assists.

Post #3 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 3:27 pm

It was a fun game, but once the Jazz failed to grab the rebound in the Kings' final possession it was obvious how things will end up.

Respect to the Kings, they seem like they're actually a good team this season. It's been a while.

The Jazz went under the screen on Hurter all game long, it was so annoying. Not only is it a bad idea from the start, you'd think they would make adjustments after he starts draining all those threes.

Markkanen's shot wasn't falling from deep but he was still really good.

Kessler ended the game with zero blocks on the stat sheet, which is weird because I remember he had at least one and even the broadcasting crew commented on it.

I don't know how many PnRs the Jazz run between Conley and Markkanen but it doesn't feel like a lot. During Conley's tenure with the Jazz, one thing that people (including on TV) are saying is that he needed to adjust to playing with a big like Gobert who can't do what Gasol could do. Well, now Conley has Markkanen, who is a 7 footer who can do everything Gasol could do offensively and more, so maybe the Jazz should try to run some more Conley-Markkanen PnRs.

Olynyk hasn't been good yet ever since he came back.

The Jazz are now 19-19.

FranchisePlayer · Post #4 » by **FranchisePlayer** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 8:10 pm

Markkanen excellent, Clarkson good, Conley and Kessler average, the rest just meh.

Beasley just chucking from game to game, badly, is kind of annoying. Sexton was atrocious, hopefully Ainge can find a buyer for him.

FranchisePlayer · Post #5 » by **FranchisePlayer** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 8:18 pm

Two rotations that looked miserable out there:

1) The one without Markkanen.

2) The other with both Clarkson and Sexton on the court.

TNJazz · Post #6 » by **TNJazz** » Sun Jan 1, 2023 12:49 am

Was NAW hurt? Anyone know the reason why he didn’t play? With Sexton so erratic seems like NAW has been pretty good vw & should have gotten into the game. His defense would have been better on Huerter & probably would have made a difference in the outcome.

FranchisePlayer · Post #7 » by **FranchisePlayer** » Mon Jan 2, 2023 7:33 pm

TNJazz wrote:Was NAW hurt? Anyone know the reason why he didn’t play? With Sexton so erratic seems like NAW has been pretty good vw & should have gotten into the game. His defense would have been better on Huerter & probably would have made a difference in the outcome.

I don't know but he definitely should have some of Sexton's minutes. His better defensive play more than justifies that.

In defense Sexton looks energetic and engaged but he just makes too many bonehead moves that the opponent takes advantage of. Switches when shouldn't, hovers in no-man's land etc.