Well, it looks like the starting lineup for the Portland game will be Harris, Hayward, Miles, Millsap and Favors.
That lineup is interesting. It raises several questions.
1. Will Corbin move Hayward to his natural position at the SG?
Yes, this starting five didn't look good at first because they haven't played together. Start his group of Harris, Hayward, Howard, Millsap and Favors for 5 games, and they'll be strong.
2. Will Hayward come out aggressive and shooting early and stick with it?
Yes, Hayward came out aggressive. He was very cold on layups, but he kept at it and in the second half, his offense was one major difference in the game. It takes grit to stay with it when even layups aren't falling.
3. Will Miles let Hayward have a shot? Will Howard let Hayward have any shots?
Yes. Before coming to the Jazz Howard was known as a black hole for the ball. He still tends to play that way, and at times in the first half it hurt the Jazz. His rebounds offset his misses to some extent.
4. Can Favors stay on the floor long enough to influence the game early?
Yes, Favors did stay on the floor for much of the game. He had key put backs of missed shots, and in the second half he defended Aldridge very well.
5. Who will Hayward feed, Millsap or Favors?
Hayward's assists weren't a factor in this game. His defense on Mattews came up big just like his offense in the 2nd half.
6. Will Millsap continue to pass the ball the way he did in the Sac game or will he go back to not passing to certain players.
Yes and No. Sap passed the ball okay, but it wasn't one of his best passing games. (He's only had a couple!) Al and Millsap need to get better at getting the ball to the open man on the perimeter.
7. Will Miles go inside 3 times for every outside shot he takes? (mentioned before as key to Miles' succeeding) Will Howard shoot everything he touches?
Yes, Miles had a good inside game. His outside game sucked as it often does, but he went to the basket often and effectively. And Howard put up 15 shots. Right now Howard is shooting only .376 from the field and .167 from the 3. Free Throws are what keeps him in the game along with rebounds. He's shooting 89% from there.
8. Will Miles play consistent tough defense during the game or save himself for offense? Will Howard play defense--he's looking for contract numbers and defense doesn't get it done for that?
Yes and No. Miles and Howard both had a couple of good defensive moments but overall neither one is much to talk about on defense. Howard rebounded well.
9. Will Favors get enough scoring opportunities with Millsap on the floor?
Yes. Most of Favors scoring (8pts) came from put back of Hayward's missed layups. Favors did get fouled and shot his free throws well. Defense was Favors game this time. His offense lagged, but it was adequate.
10. With this lineup will the Jazz get off to a fast start? If they do, can they sustain it?
No, the Jazz got off to a slow start shooting and defending poorly. Was it the lineup? Partially. They haven't played together and their coordination and timing was off. But a lot of the problems were due to individual effort and not team play. In the second half they came out stronger and tougher. If they had played the first half the same way, the game would not have been close.
The outcome of the game depends on the answers to these questions.
If the answers to most of these question are yes, the Jazz will win. If no is the answer to more than 3 of these questions, I think it will be a tough night in SLC.
For the Portland game, the lineup worked. If the Jazz are going to beat the Clippers, these same questions apply with a couple of others.
Will the Jazz shoot over 45%?
Will Favors score more points?
Will Hayward come out aggressive, and scoring?
The Jazz need all three of those things to happen along with Yes's to the previous questions if they want a win against the Clippers.
