The Triple Team: 3 thoughts on Jazz vs. Pelicans


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SALT LAKE CITY — Three thoughts on the Jazz's 108-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans from KSL.com's Utah Jazz beat writer, Andy Larsen.

1. Jazz win thanks to two coaching moves

The Jazz were down 61-59 with 8:47 left in the third quarter, having quickly given up an 18-point lead from earlier in the game.

Quin Snyder called timeout, and immediately pointed to Joe Johnson, telling him to prepare to come in the game for Boris Diaw. Then, he explained during the timeout that Johnson would be guarding the Pelicans' center and top-10 player in the NBA, Anthony Davis, while Rudy Gobert would be assigned on Dante Cunningham.

It was an option that the Jazz had prepared.

"That was great. We talked about it before the game," Gobert said. "We were waiting to see if AD was going to hit shots. He did, so we did the adjustment, and I think it was great. I was able to protect the rim, and Joe could be more aggressive on AD."

From that point forward, the Jazz went on a 19-4 run that turned that 2-point deficit into a 13-point lead. Joe Johnson ended up the game as a +26 in an 8-point win, contrasting heavily with Diaw's -17 in under 13 minutes of play. That was enough to see them through an iffy fourth quarter to get a relatively easy win without their best offensive player, Gordon Hayward.

It was made possible because the Pelicans have a very shallow roster. They played only eight players, and Cunningham is a pretty limited player. That meant Rudy could play 15 feet off of Cunningham by default, and help with impunity. For example, Holiday makes the right read here, but the Jazz would much rather take their chances with Cunningham's offensive game than the Pelicans' two best players in a pick and roll.

Gobert played 20 feet off of Dante Cunningham, dissuading Jrue Holiday/Anthony Davis pick and roll, then wasn't punished by DC jumper. pic.twitter.com/9kbUfIfEt7 — Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) March 28, 2017

The Pelicans never made a counter-adjustment, but given their personnel problems, I'm not sure they had the options. And in the end, that decision sealed the win.

"We just felt like Rudy could make an impact on the game, off the ball and on the glass. People try and pull Rudy out, and they were running a lot of pick and pop stuff with Davis," Snyder said. "More than anything, we have faith in Joe Johnson. I think he's been an under-looked defender his whole career."

"Underlooked" isn't a word yet, but it should be. What else do you call something that is both underrated and overlooked?

2. Jazz show off nice ball movement

The Jazz's ball movement was also a lot better, especially early. When defenses are bad and the Jazz are spacing the floor, they really can play some beautiful basketball.

Take this play for example, when all five players touch the ball in rapid success to find Gobert for a dunk. Now, was that because Davis wasn't in the picture for the first 10 seconds of the possession? Yes. But still good work by the Jazz to take advantage!

The ball movement from @utahjazz 💯 #PlayersOnlypic.twitter.com/xkeIJtLaH1 — Players Only on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 28, 2017

Here's Raul Neto being trapped by two Pelicans in the paint. But that means someone is open. The Pellies easily deal with the first, but Dante Exum throws a mid-air pass to Rodney Hood for the straight away three. Well done.

Rodney Hood gets a three thanks to two nice passes from his point guards, Raul Neto and Dante Exum: pic.twitter.com/6VpVryhVW9 — Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) March 28, 2017

Last example: Here, Diaw notices that Holiday is helping on the mismatch post-up play. So he literally points, asking for one of the Jazz's players in the gaggle near the corner get open to take advantage. Joe Ingles does, and he hits the wide-open three.

Boris Diaw points where he wants Joe Ingles to go, Ingles goes there, Jazz get a three. pic.twitter.com/Fwcfc9C7QD — Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) March 28, 2017

What do these examples all have in common? Well, pretty easily exploited defense, for one. Diaw and Neto in the paint aren't such a big threat that you need to pull over two players to the ball. But, for some reason, the Pelicans did that, and the Jazz took advantage.

3. Rudy Gobert talking

On a day when the biggest news story was comments Gobert made after Saturday's loss to the Clippers, it was ironic that he'd get an extra chance to talk, thanks to the Jazz playing on TNT. The NBA and TNT put microphones on Gobert and recorded some of his best moments of communication during the game.

Gobert mic'd up on @NBAonTNTpic.twitter.com/Af5MPio8MY — NBA (@NBA) March 28, 2017

My favorite part was the eight second mark, when Gobert goes to talk to referee Mitchell Ervin about one of his teammates foul calls. Ervin explains the call, and Gobert moves along.

That's something I've noticed about Gobert: when he talks to referees, he's very rarely angry. Usually, he goes and asks them what he did wrong, legitimately listens, and then tries not to do it anymore. Many times, he gets the explanation, just nods, and goes about his work.

I wonder what impact that's had on his foul rate. As a rookie, Gobert got himself into foul trouble way too frequently, making himself difficult to play many minutes. But he's improved since, figuring out how to be a defensive menace without drawing the foul call.

I also wonder if these sort of chats, and the respect Gobert shows, have improved how referees call him. Gobert actually gets a pretty significant number of calls in his favor, according to the NBA's Last Two Minute report. Staying on the floor, and being able to screen and defend without fouling has caused Gobert to become one of the league's most valuable players.

And on being recorded by TNT's microphones, Gobert had this to say: "I like it, but I've got to be careful. I have to curse in French."

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