“We’re Actually Really Good In Chaos” | Utah Looks To Cause Havoc Against Memphis On Saturday – NBA.com
After an offseason full of change, it’s taken Utah six games to establish an identity and style of play that they find successful. Ironically, it all came together in a loss to Denver on Friday — a night in which the Jazz didn’t play their best, proving that sometimes the biggest lessons come in defeat.
“We’re actually really good in chaos,” point guard Mike Conley said following Utah’s 117-101 defeat to the Nuggets.
They’re a team that’s so new to one another that the chemistry isn’t quite there yet, so they have to make up for it in different ways — and chaos is exactly what they need.
They have to the be the team scrapping for rebounds, forcing turnovers, getting out in transition and running. They have to push the tempo consistently, taking advantage of mismatches, and diving on the floor for loose balls.
But most of all, they can’t be perfect — at least not in the traditional sense.
“We’re trying to be perfect and get the right mismatch, and it really slowed our game,” Conley added. “As we saw as the game went on, we had our good stretches. It was a lot of up and down, it was a lot of random switches on defense and just being wild but under control. … I think we just lost that.”
The Jazz will try to regroup on Saturday night when they face the Memphis Grizzlies. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Unfortunately the Jazz will still be shorthanded as Simone Fontecchio and Rudy Gay are out due to health and safety protocols. Walker Kessler missed Friday night due to illness and his status is unknown for Saturday.
But in place of those players were a multitude of Jazz youngsters, primarily Ochai Agbaji and Leandro Bolmaro.
Agbaji, in the first minutes of his career, finished with nine points on 4-of-7 shooting in 19 minutes. Bolmaro only finished with two points and two assists, but his overall play was impressive as he finished with a +16 rating in 15 minutes.
Utah will probably have to dig into that depth again on Saturday — but at least they’ll be at home causing the chaos.
STATS
Utah (4-2, 2-0 home / No. 4 Western Conference)
Offense
*115.8 Points Per Game (No. 14 in NBA)
*110.5 Offensive Rating (No. 21 in NBA)
Defense
*113.5 Points Per Game (No. 16 in NBA)
*107.9 Defensive Rating (No. 7 in NBA)
*Lauri Markkanen: 21.2 points | 9.0 rebounds | 2.7 assists
*Jordan Clarkson: 16.7 points | 4.8 assists | 4.3 rebounds | 36.7% 3P-shooting
*Kelly Olynyk: 12.2 points | 4.3 rebounds | 3.7 assists | 63.2% 3P-shooting
*Mike Conley: 11.0 points | 7.3 assists | 37.1% 3P-shooting
Memphis (4-1, 2-1 away / No. 3 Western Conference)
Offense
*119.8 Points Per Game (No. 4 in NBA)
*117.9 Offensive Rating (No. 2 in NBA)
Defense
*121.0 Points Per Game (No. 25 in NBA)
*119.6 Defensive Rating (No. 28 in NBA)
*Ja Morant: 32.6 points | 6.8 assists | 4.4 rebounds | 56.5% 3P-shooting
*Desmond Bane: 22.6 points | 5.6 assists | 4.4 rebounds | 46.8% 3P-shooting
*Tyus Jones: 11.6 points | 3.6 assists | 34.6% 3P-shooting
*Santi Aldama: 11.0 points | 6.4 rebounds | 1.4 blocks
MATCHUP TO WATCH
*Jordan Clarkson vs. Desmond Bane
— With Ja Morant likely sidelined for Saturday night, a lot of the offensive pressure for Memphis is going to fall on the thick shoulders of Desmond Bane. Likewise, the Jazz will need a vintage performance from Clarkson to keep pace. Clarkson is capable of catching fire, and after a rough outing against Denver, he should be primed for a bounce back performance.
INJURY REPORT
Utah
QUESTIONABLE | Walker Kessler (illness)
QUESTIONABLE | Collin Sexton (left oblique contusion)
OUT | Rudy Gay (health & safety protocols)
OUT | Simone Fontecchio (health & safety protocols)
OUT| Johnny Juzang (G League – Two Way)
Memphis
QUESTIONABLE | John Konchar (left shoulder soreness)
DOUBTFUL | Ja Morant (non-COVID illness)
OUT | Danny Green (left knee surgery recovery)
OUT | Jaren Jackson Jr. (right foot surgery recovery)
OUT | Ziaire Williams (right knee patellar tendinitis)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Time: 7:00 p.m. MT
Location: Vivint Arena / Salt Lake City, UT
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: 1280 The Zone