Your Pregame Moment of Zen
The Jazz Outlook
26 games into the season, the Utah Jazz are rolling strong. Basketball Reference's SR system indicates that the Jazz are probably a top-6 team in the early going, and I can't disagree with that. While Al Jefferson's play has continued to be down a tick, relative to his Minnesota days, the emergence of Paul Millsap continues. He's rebounding like a center, scoring with tremendous efficiency, and is even finding teammates without turning the ball over.
Subplots
- There's obviously the obvious. Chris Paul vs. Deron Williams. CP is dominating All-Star voting right now, and it would be nice to see him put up a good game against his biggest nemesis.
- Gordon Hayward has gotten a few starts at guard for the Jazz. He's really struggled to make a mark (42% true shooting, 21% turnover rate, -0.3 offensive win shares), so it would be a shame to see him exploit a shorter defender in Belinelli tonight and turn things around.
- @AllThatAmar of SLCDunk noted to me via Twitter that Raja Bell- sidelined with a strained right abductor- is a game time decision and could bump Hayward back to his usual third string role.
- The Jazz's biggest strengths are taking care of the ball and going to the free throw line. Their biggest weaknesses are defensive rebounding and a tendency to foul way too often. If we want to avoid the blowout, we need to be aggressive going to the hoop and at least consider changing up our avoid-offensive-glass-at-all-costs mentality.
- Vote in tonight's Jersey Contest here.
- Go Hornets.