Injured Jazz Lose To Grizzlies; 96-102

Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images

The Utah Jazz battled hard in this one, but in the end they were too injured and tired to win at home versus the Memphis Grizzlies.  George Hill, Rodney Hood, and Alec Burks were out tonight and Derrick Favors only played 21 minutes and was visibly limited.

Memphis started out the game on fire shooting 57% in first half.  The Jazz on the other hand struggled early and found themselves looking at a 48-56 deficit through the first two.  In the second half the Jazz fought hard and almost pulled out a victory, but fell short.  Favors left the second half with knee soreness and Rudy Gobert got into foul trouble and never checked back in, ending his night with 22 minutes.

Joe Ingles, Trey Lyles, and Shelvin Mack all stepped up with the four of the five starters out or playing limited minutes by scoring  20, 18, and 17 points respectively.  Unfortunately, Gordon Hayward couldn’t ever get it going though scoring just 13 points on 4-14 shooting, leaving no one to take over the game for the Jazz.

The Grizzlies didn’t have that problem as they got a combined 78 points out of Vince Carter, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph.  When the game really got close their guys made plays and they were able to beat this hobbled Jazz team.

Game MVP

Joe Ingles

20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 4-7 from 3

Ingles was fantastic tonight!  Starting in the place of Hood, Ingles did his best impression of the young guard by draining threes.

Three Major Takeaways

1) Jazz Didn’t Rebound

The Jazz were out-rebounded 29-44 in this one and they got six offensive rebounds all game.  Without Gobert and Favors for a majority of the game the Grizzlies controlled the boards.  Hood and Hill have also rebounded the ball very well for guards and that was missed tonight.

2) Rudy Gobert Should Be Closing Games

Tonight as Andy noted, Gobert didn’t close the game and it is reasonable to question why.  He lead the team in +/- and with the Grizzlies dominating the boards it would have made sense for him to close the game. Quin Snyder may know something we don’t, but he should have finished the game.

Grizzlies on a 6-0 run late in the game to push get a 94-88 lead. I think it’s fair to wonder why Gobert isn’t in the game right now.

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) November 15, 2016

3) This Team Could Be Great When Healthy

The Jazz have been the most injured team in the NBA, along with the Pelicans, yet they have managed to have a reasonably good record.  If this team get’s healthy, they could be very good.

The Jazz and the Pelicans have been the most injured to start the season (30 man-games lost). Jazz are 7-4, Pellies 1-9. pic.twitter.com/rW8KpKfu2i

— Angie Treasure (@snark_tank) November 14, 2016

Play Of The Game

Joe with all the loose change… ?#MEMatUTA pic.twitter.com/blnF6MekXO

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 15, 2016

Playoff Seed Impact of Loss

FiveThirtyEighty Had the Jazz favored by 11 points before the game started and they had the Jazz as the fourth seed in the west with 54 wins.  After the loss the Jazz we projected to win 52 games.  The loss hurt, but it isn’t likely that the Jazz will win many games when they have this many injuries.