Washington Wizards Lose A Close One To The Utah Jazz 107-104
The last meeting between the Wizards and the Jazz was an epic beat down in Utah with the Wizards losing by 47. Utah again won this game, but only 107-104 behind a valiant effort from the Wizards.
The Jazz took an early lead. The Wizards led by 10 points at one point but weren’t able to hold onto the lead, they were simply out shot by the Jazz. The high turnovers didn’t help as the Jazz were able to convert a lot of those into points. Utah made a LOT more shots than the Wizards. At one point they were taking 1/3 more shots. They made so many more shots that only a few plays from the Wizards really stood out for me.
Notables:
Washington Wizards: Wall with 35 points I may have slept through, 11 assists and 6 rebounds; Beal with 23 points and 7 assists; and Porter with 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Beal had 16 points and Wall had 11 points and 6 assists in the first half; the Wizards also had 9 turnovers by that time. If the Wizards are going to be more of a ‘run and gun(like an engine, not a pistol)’ type team, they really need to start taking more 3s. Oubre had a really nice corner 3 and he should definitely be taking more of those. He seems to really pop out of nowhere sometimes so I think they’d be easy points for him, and the team. The commentator, who was from Utah and just as shady as Jerebko was shovey, said that the Wizards are last in 3pt usage.
By the 3rd Utah had 5 steals and had taken 7 extra shots. So even though the game stayed relatively close, it still seemed all Jazz. Wall put up 35 points, but it seemed like less because the jazz were taking so many shots. Wall also had a really nice grind play in the 4th knocking the ball between Rubio’s legs.
Utah Jazz: Rubio with 21 points 3 steals, 3 assists and 2 rebounds; Mitchel with 16 points, 1 steal, 3 assist and 5 rebounds; , Udoh with 16 points, 2 blocks, 3 steals, 2 assists and 9 rebounds; Johnson with 13 points, 3 steals, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
Ricky Rubio is one of my three favourite players and has been since he was a teenager playing in the European league. When he meshes well with his team and coaches, he passes like vintage Steve Nash and there’s no question about his shooting. Utah looks like a good situation for him. I must admit though that I generally prefer to watch him play with team Espana than in the NBA. Team Espana is pretty stacked though, so I don’t think that’s unreasonable. I also totally disagree with attempting to change how a player shoots once at the professional level. You can refine it, or add an element, but a complete change is absurd. I know that’s highly debatable to people. People who are not me. I stopped watching the Timberwolves when they started ‘reteaching’ him how to shoot.
The first period was all Jazz. Ricky Rubio led all scorers with 12 points. Ekpe Udoh had a nice shot and swat away. He had a really good night and plays well with Ingles. Their rookie, Donovan Mitchell has got that fire. He got into foul trouble and had to sit early in the 2nd, but you can see that he’s got skills and it’s only going to get better from here.
It was also nice to see Joe Johnson rolling through year 17. I used to watch the Nets all the time and, no shade, but I was soo happy for him when he got traded. The Nets look a lot better now but those were some ‘in the trenches’ years. I was happy for his escape.
I almost forgot about Rodney Hood, but it’s because he was ejected for talking back to the ref. Nothing like a ref making you feel 5 again. It’s like getting sent to your room for talking back to your mum.
Jerebko was out there throwing elbows and shoving people. He made some nice plays, but what a sh*t disturber he is. I like it because I’m Canadian and it reminds me of a hockey attitude,but I see fights in his future if he picks the wrong one.
I was impressed with the Jazz and I really like their team. I could keep writing about them but I feel like I’m cheating on my family, the Wizards. I don’t know if I should refer to the Wizards as family yet though as I don’t need to start drinking at 11a.m. to make sure it’s not a ‘clap back Christmas’.
Next Up: Friday against Orlando at 7p.m. EST.
