Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — After a 30-14 first-quarter deficit to the Chicago Bulls, the Utah Jazz were struggling to find a spark.
After an energy-sapping loss Saturday to New Orleans, the Jazz looked to still be stuck in the struggles of back-to-back losses, trailing Chicago 56-41 at halftime.
Then, Trey Burke erupted in the third quarter as Utah went on a 36-22 run that ignited the crowd. Still, Chicago’s defense made just enough plays to lead at the final buzzer, 97-95.
Utah’s defense struggled early in the game, allowing Chicago a 16-4 run to start the game. The Jazz allowed 58.8 percent shooting in the first half, and the Bulls connected on eight 3-point shots. Utah cleaned up in the second half, holding Chicago to 42.1 percent shooting.
Jazz coach Quin Snyder said he challenged his team to compete more in the second half.
“We just talked at halftime about competing, and about trying to compete every play,” he said. “I got upset with 1.1 seconds in the third quarter because we turned around, the ball gets thrown ahead and (Bulls guard) Aaron Brooks almost makes a shot. We didn’t compete ….
“There’s going to be situations like that where we don’t recognize what’s at stake. But, for the most part, we were really competitive and played hard (in the second half).”
"Trey was terrific," said Jazz coach Quin Snyder. "Not just because he scored, but because of his presence."
Snyder was concerned with Utah’s lack of energy in the loss to New Orleans, and said it’s hard for teams to come back and win after they trail in the first quarter.
Utah led 93-89 with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter, but Chicago went on an 8-2 run to finish the game.
Snyder said it was another example of Utah’s energy falling late in the game after a comeback attempt.
“It’s a game of runs, so you make a run and you have to anticipate they’re going to,” he said. “It’s the law of averages, right? They’re a good team, so I think when you do expend (physical or emotional energy), it’s hard to keep (your energy) at that level. It’s a challenge.”
After scoring only four points in the first half, Burke scored 14 points in the second half, providing scoring and effort plays to lift Utah.
Burke said his second-half scoring output came from a more aggressive focus on the floor.
“It was probably my most balanced game, especially this year,” said Burke, who added 10 assists to his stat line. “I just tried to go out there and make plays for the team, and I felt like somebody needed to step up in the second half. We came out sluggish again, and it kind of came back and haunted us again.”
With the drafting of guard Dante Exum in the offseason, there have been questions regarding the future role of Burke. However, Snyder said Utah needs Burke to play well to be successful.
“Trey was terrific,” he said. “Not just because he scored, but because of his presence. He did a great job defensively, which I’m really happier about than anything. That’s the area I’ve emphasized the most with him.”
The Jazz had a chance to win late, holding the ball with three second left. Utah left the final shot to Gordon Hayward, who had a buzzer-beater earlier in the season to beat Cleveland. However, Hayward missed the shot, part of a 2-for-11 shooting performance.
Despite the struggles, Snyder said he was confident with Hayward taking the final shot.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Gordon,” he said. “I’ve got confidence in all of our guys. I think Gordon’s hit a big shot to win a game, Trey’s hit a big shot to win a game — some of it is how you feel they’re going to defend you. (Hayward’s) the one we went with.”
Utah’s defense struggled early in the game, allowing Chicago a 16-4 run to start the game. The Jazz allowed 58.8 percent shooting in the first half, and the Bulls connected on eight 3-point shots.
