SALT LAKE CITY — Three thoughts on the Jazz's 95-68 win over the Atlanta Hawks from KSL.com's Utah Jazz beat writer, Andy Larsen.

1. Jazz's defense was suffocating tonight

Holding an NBA team to 68 points is always going to be an impressive feat, but holding the versatile Atlanta Hawks to that total is ridiculous. The Jazz allowed 31.3 percent shooting overall, had a nine minute period where the Hawks scored just three points, and then had two quarters when they scored just 25 combined. That will win every time.

So what did they do well? Let's break it down:

First, they went under on Dennis Schroder screens. At first, it looked like Schroder was going to make the Jazz pay for this strategy, going 5-6 in the first quarter, including 2-3 on pick and roll threes left open by Utah. But the Jazz largely stuck with it, and Schroder shot just 1-13 for the rest of the game. Ouch.

Rodney Hood did a fantastic job against Kyle Korver. "We were locked on Kyle," Gordon Hayward said. "The job Rodney did on him tonight was huge. You look at some of the stuff he does, and it didn't go on the stat sheet, but he's a hot guy that can score in bunches and Rodney shut him down." Korver got off only three shots all night, and had just one make off of an inbound turnover.

Moving to the small forward spot, Quin Snyder was very complimentary of Gordon Hayward's defense. "The best thing that Gordon did tonight was defend. Like, not even close," said Snyder. Bazemore went just 1-9 overall tonight, only shooting one 3-point shot. He finished with three points. I also thought Hayward was an excellent team defender tonight, helping out when necessary to pick up steals (two) and even a stellar spike block in transition:

Is this a spike? Or a kill? or both? 🏐✋#TakeNote#ATLatUTApic.twitter.com/CQ4pkhPR3F — Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 26, 2016

At power forward, Snyder started Boris Diaw over Trey Lyles. At first, it didn't go so well: Diaw picked up two fouls in the first 70 seconds of the game. But Snyder chose to keep Diaw in the game anyway until Paul Millsap subbed out, and was rewarded with a very good defensive performance in his minutes. More on Trey Lyles in a second.

And then Rudy Gobert came in and dominated Dwight Howard, on both ends of the floor. Howard finished with just four points, 2-9 shooting, seven rebounds, one block, four fouls, and two turnovers. Meanwhile, Gobert finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks.

Gobert also gave the best post-game quote of the night:

I remember having this debate with a sportswriter when Gobert emerged two seasons ago: was he better than Howard? At that point, I felt he was playing better in the regular season, though Howard helped Houston make the Western Conference finals. But by now, I think it's pretty clear: Howard's regressed really significantly, and Gobert's only gotten better, especially with his balance, finishing skills around the rim, and free throw shooting.

Oh by the way, after tonight's performance, the Jazz have the second best defense in the league.

2. Trey Lyles great game

You guys are going to think I'm crazy for saying this, but I thought Trey Lyles had one of his best games of the season tonight. Yes, that's despite a line where he only got 13 points despite 14 shots, and despite turning the ball over five times. And that's despite an ugly stretch in the first quarter when he missed shots and got beaten defensively.

But after that, he was one of the Jazz's most important difference makers. Luckily, Snyder agrees with me.

"It's one of his best games," Snyder said. "The reason that this game was a significant one for him was because he didn't make shots. He got himself going on the offensive glass first. Than he drove the ball and was a playmaker. It's hard to do that. The gameplay is fast and it's easy for us to say, you should have made that pass or all those decisions. What he did tonight, the game slowed down for him. He had his eyes out the whole time. I know he can shoot the ball, but making plays for your teammates that is what can make you a unique player."

Lyles, typically, was understated.

"I just tried to continue to be aggressive defensively, as far as attacking the glass, and just tried to be there in rotations for my teammates," Lyles said.

Lyles picked up a season-high ten rebounds, and soared for putbacks like this one:

Gimme Thatpic.twitter.com/yuvih8Karq — Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 26, 2016

His passing was really smart tonight. Really frequently this season, Lyles received the ball on the perimeter and either shot or drove (and I've criticized his decision making here). But tonight, Lyles made his move and kept the offense's advantage going with a solid pass at the right times. Well done.

3. Hey, remember George Hill?

George Hill was again fantastic tonight, despite being really sick, even throwing up during the day. He just put up a solid 23 point, 8-14 shooting night in only 28 minutes of play, while not being even healthy enough to start the third quarter due to his illness. Luckily, he came right back in the game once he made it to the bench.

The reason the Jazz were able to make the trade was thanks to the largesse of the Atlanta Hawks, who gave the Indiana Pacers Jeff Teague in exchange for the No. 12 pick of Utah. The Hawks used that pick on Taurean Prince, who shot the ball relatively well tonight (3-6 for nine points), but overall was a game low -25 when he was on the floor. Prince might yet become a good player, but he's already nearly 23 (old for a rookie) and has an 11 PER.

Meanwhile, Hill's become Utah's best point guard since Deron Williams (okay, that's not a high bar). Hill's only played in nine games, but he's leading the NBA in effective field goal percentage at 63.5 percent. That's ridiculously efficient. Rudy Gobert, by the way, is second in the league at 63.4 percent, tied with Kevin Durant.

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