Jazz Regain Confidence While Taking Care of the Cavs, 126-113

Much like Donovan Mitchell shut down Collin Sexton on this play, the Jazz handily defeated the Cavs Monday.

The Utah Jazz are not back, but they are slowly heading in the right direction.

In the first of a four-game Eastern Conference road trip, Utah recorded a semi-comfortable 126-113 win over a young and sometimes hapless Cleveland Cavaliers squad. While the first half certainly contained some of the remnants of the Jazz’s recent woes—lack of defensive intensity, unforced turnovers and passed-up shots—the road team exerted itself and was never truly threatened in the final two quarters.

Once again, Utah featured a balanced attack, with six players reaching double-figure scoring. Even though they fell behind the Cavs in the second half, the Jazz won each quarter.

While these victories came against Washington and Cleveland (and their combined 39-81 record) are nothing to write home about, they allow the Jazz to regain some of their confidence. The ball movement is returning, the 3-pointers are going down again and there is a little more swagger on the court.

Yes, the Jazz should have easily won these games. But they dropped outings that should have been wins last week at home. Jazz fans can breath a bit easier for the time-being.

BOGDANOVIC BACKS IT UP: After the disappointing loss to the Boston Celtics last week, Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic was very transparent and candid with the Utah media. He was a prime example of accountability, saying that his poor play was hampering his team. Bogdanovic went as far as vowing to step up.

He’s since done that. After a 21-point outing against the Washington Wizards, the Croatian sensation had arguably his best all-around game in a Jazz uniform: 28 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Bogdanovic was aggressive from the start. Each time Cleveland would mount a mini-run, he was the one who repeatedly countered with a timely shot. His passing was good, especially in the first half.

GOBERT AND TEAM REBOUNDING: Utah All-Star center Rudy Gobert is clearly one of the game’s best rebounders. Currently third in the NBA with 14.0 RPG, a big part of the two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year’s game is his ability to control the boards. That is why the last five games have been a bit troubling to Jazz fans.

The Frenchman has not eclipsed 10 rebounds the past five outings, though he has had nine the past three. While it is a bit of a concern, cleaning the glass is never a one-man task. While Gobert may not be snagging the caroms himself, he is still working hard and boxing out, thus allowing teammates to come collect them. The Jazz dominated the Cavs, outrebounding them 54-41. Donovan Mitchell grabbed nine from the back court, while Bogdanovic and Royce O’Neale had seven apiece. Tony Bradley chipped in six in just 14 minutes. It was a team effort.  And versus the Wizards, Utah enjoyed a 47-36 advantage.  

CONLEY FINDING HIS GROOVE: As previously mentioned, these outings against inferior opponents can go a long way toward addressing some nuances of the team’s performance. Mike Conley Jr. is a prime example. While the box score numbers don’t pop out—15 points, six assists, two rebounds—for the second consecutive night, the Jazz point guard played an excellent floor game.

Throughout the night and against Washington, Conley controlled the pace for Utah. His decision-making has been strong, both in setting up his teammates and picking his opportunities to score. Conley has upped his aggressiveness, while taking great care of the ball (only one turnover in his last 63 minutes). He has exuded a comfort level that feels different, at least to this writer. Moreover, his presence opens things up for others. For example, instead of creating so much off the dribble, Bogdanovic is feeding off Conley’s play, resulting in more catch-and-shoot jumpers. That is a major boost both for him individually and for the team.

While the revolving story about who would come off the bench last week was perplexing, the past few games have shown why coach Quin Snyder feels the need to get Conley more and more acclimated with his running mates. He really can help Utah up its game to a different level.

PARTING SHOTS

• Kevin Love is such a unique player. His ability to drill 3-pointers with ease was on display against the Jazz. Much has been said about his assumed frustration on a clearly rebuilding Cavs team. That is why he has been and will continue to be a favorite name circling in trade rumors. This offseason should be interesting on this front.
• Cleveland has some talented players. Collin Sexton is an exciting player who does a lot of exciting things. Does he need to learn to facilitate for his teammates better? Absolutely. Is he still learning the game? That’s an affirmative. He’s a very nice building block for the Cavs.
• Jordan Clarkson had a solid outing against his team of the past three seasons, going for 13 points and three 3-pointers. You could tell that his former teammates loved him, but are happy he is getting an opportunity to really help a team with deep postseason aspirations.