The Jazz win a massive tank battle!
The Jazz lost a game against the Grizzlies that they led and controlled most of the first half, but fizzled out in the second half—losing the third and fourth quarters by a combined 21 points. It was actually a very important game. Before the game started, the Jazz were sitting at 18 wins and 6th in the lottery standings, and the Grizzlies at 20 wins in the 8th lottery slot. Now with only 25 games remaining, every single win and loss is absolutely crucial towards the draft lottery standings that are so tight—and in a draft that looks incredibly generational. When the Jazz have a top 8 protected pick, the Jazz need to lose every game they can, and they succeeded tonight losing 114-123.
It was clear from the injury reports what this game was going to be…The Jazz had Jusuf Nurkic out with a nose injury. Obviously Walker Kessler and Jaren Jackson Jr remain out for the season so I find it funny they continue to list them on the injury report, but the injury report didn’t end there. Keyonte George continuing to miss time with his ankle, and just today a few hours before the game the Jazz added Lauri Markkanen to the report with an illness who went on to miss the game. The lengths the Jazz have to go to uphold the Integrity of the game, because this is so much better than literally playing your guys for over half of the overall 48 minutes… But fine Adam Silver!! We’ll just not play them at all and you’re going to like it! Speaking of the integrity of the game… The Grizzlies Injury report is listed below.
The Jazz started quite hot in this one, making 11 of their 13 total threes they made this game in the first half. Guys like Blake Hinson knocking down shots making it look easy. Kevin Love checked in for 5 minutes in the second quarter, hit 2 threes, and Will Hardy then instantly pulls him out. Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier were Batman and Robin out there today—Collier with 24 points, 5 assists, and 6 combined STOCKS; Filipowski with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 combined STOCKS. Ace Bailey continues to show flashes, hitting tough and confident shots, just showing glimpses of what type of player he’ll be on day.
Once the second half started you could feel the shift. The Jazz weren’t quite as polished as they seemed in the first half. Will Hardy managed the rotations to perfection, and the Jazz’s 12 point lead at halftime was cut down to 2 going into the fourth quarter. And by the time there was 4:35 remaining in the fourth quarter the Grizzlies were up 16 points. And you have to understand the Grizzlies wanted to lose this game just as badly as the Jazz. I say this honestly with no bias… Even though the Jazz lost this game, actually watching and observing the guys the Jazz had out there vs who the Grizzlies had out there, the Jazz players seemed far more exciting, talented, athletic, and just better… But they ended up winning anyway… I mean losing! Excuse me.
This was one of the most important games of the season for the Jazz. First game post All-Star break, 26 total remaining, and they couldn’t have started the second half any better. Jazz fans need to continue to be thankful the front office is doing what’s right for the franchise, and we as Jazz fans need to embrace our fandom and really come together. It’s kind of felt like a civil war on Jazz Twitter and other online communities these past few years, but the basketball world really does not care about us except for when they need a punching bag. So if we don’t have each other we have nothing.
The Utah Jazz tankfully lost this one tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies 114-123, building some lottery space between them and the Grizzlies.They’ll have another few days off before continuing the road trip playing the Rockets in Houston on February 23rd.