Lack of aggression dooms Jazz in loss to Boston


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SALT LAKE CITY — Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens and Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward have enjoyed a shining moment together in Salt Lake City.

In 2010, as the Butler Bulldogs went on a Cinderella-run to the NCAA championship game, the team played its regional games to qualify for the Final Four in EnergySolutions Arena. Stevens coached the team, Hayward was the star player, and the Bulldogs defeated Kansas State 63-56.

Hayward was named the West Region MVP that year as he scored 22 points in the regional final. The Indiana native helped propel Butler, and Stevens, into the national spotlight that year. After that season, Hayward jumped to the NBA and the Jazz. Three seasons later, Stevens left the college ranks to replace Doc Rivers in Boston.

While they shared a happy moment together in 2011, Stevens finished with the last laugh in 2015, as the Celtics picked up a 97-90 victory over Utah.

The first quarter wasn’t an offensive display for either team, as they finished the quarter tied at 17-17. The Celtics led by as much as 25 points in the second quarter, taking a 55-31 halftime lead.


"We were weak," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said.

Overall, Utah struggled from the field, shooting only 42.7 percent. In comparison, the Jazz shot 53.2 percent from the floor in a win over Brooklyn Saturday, and made 13 3-point shots.

Jazz coach Quin Snyder said the beginning of the game was a reflection of a lack of energy.

“We played soft,” he said. “Nothing was done with any force. They knocked us back offensively, and then there wasn’t urgency on defense. Whatever our preparation was, we didn’t have the right focus when the game started.”

Utah picked up its game in the third quarter though, opening the quarter on a 25-5 run. The Jazz trailed 71-66 at the end of the third quarter.

Boston re-established momentum in the fourth quarter, thanks to a physicality in the paint. The Celtics made 21-of-23 free throws, while the Jazz made only 11-of-19.

Snyder said the team’s lack of toughness was apparent throughout the game.

“We were weak,” he said. “We didn’t assert ourselves and try and impose our will on them. We allowed them to do that to us. That usually doesn’t bode well for your performance.”

Hayward finished with 26 points to lead all scorers. He also hit a buzzer-beating three to end the third quarter, capping a 35-16 advantage in the third quarter for Utah.

Stevens, who recruited Hayward out of Brownsburg High School, said his collegiate pupil has become a respected player in the league.

“He’s playing great,” he said. “I’m really happy for him. I said last year I thought he was playing well, but this is a different rhythm than I’ve ever seen him, playing-wise.

“He probably is less known for how good he is, and how good he’s playing, but the opportunity to be a max-contract player speaks to what their organization thinks, and what people around the league think of him.”

In spite of his point total, Hayward said he wasn’t pleased with the team performance.

“They were really physical with us, and we didn’t respond,” he said. “We were passive out there, and kind of let them dictate where the ball was going. That’s how we got down by so much.”

Trey Burke was a bright spot for the Jazz off the bench again, finishing with 18 points off the bench. However, he said the team’s lack of defensive energy was discouraging.

“Our energy wasn’t where it needed to be,” he said. “First half, our offense was sluggish, and we didn’t execute at a high level because we let them push us around. Throughout the game, our defense really killed us.”

After a blowout win over Brooklyn Saturday, Utah struggled to consistently maintain that level of play against Boston.

Snyder said the team has to learn how to build off of victories.

“We need to take each game, in and of itself,” he said. “It’s more about us being ready to play the next game. Certainly, we didn’t respond well to playing well. We’ve been a team that’s struggled to play well for an entire game, and I think we did that against Brooklyn. Now, the question is playing well for an entire game again.”

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