Estimated read time: 4-5 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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 — Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder has been pleased with the effort from his squad in recent games.
In the last two games, the Jazz picked up a home win over league-leading Golden State while narrowly falling on the road to Portland. Whereas the narrative for Utah’s season to this point has been inconsistency, the last two games featured a relatively consistent level of effort and intensity that turned into opportunities to win.
Wednesday, the Jazz fell to the streaking Memphis Grizzlies 100-90. Utah’s calling card comes from making hustle plays throughout a game, but the Jazz appeared to be tired at critical points of the game.
Snyder said a combination of a lack of rest and Memphis’ strong post play proved to be a lethal combination.
The Grizzlies have won eight straight games, with a streak that started on Jan. 21 in Toronto. Since then, Memphis has picked up five double-digit victories.
“This was a tough game to play back-to-back,” Snyder said. “To have Portland on the road, and then to come play these guys, we were tired, particularly on the perimeter.”
#NBA
Memphis outscored Utah 46-36 in the paint, and Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph and center Marc Gasol combined for 41 points and 17 rebounds. Randolph also hit a half-court shot to end the first quarter.
Utah’s frontcourt, comprised of Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, scored 27 points. Also, Rudy Gobert contributed eight points and six rebounds.
Memphis’ post features developed players in their prime, while Utah’s features talented players who are developing. Snyder said he’s hopeful Utah develops in a similar way to Memphis.
“That’s like eight years from us,” he said. “That’s in terms of the level of savvy, experience and physicality their bigs play with. I do think there are some things we could learn from.
“There’s a few teams in the league like that that have superior interior players that are good teams for us to look at, and ultimately model ourself after.”
Kanter, who had 16 points, said playing Memphis is a hard assignment.
“We were playing against one of the best teams in the NBA,” he said. “We respect them and the way they play. We weren’t focused like we were last game. We fought but we weren’t focused like we were (Tuesday at Portland).”
Utah entered the game on the second half of a back-to-back, but the Jazz had opportunities in the fourth quarter. Trailing 79-74 with 10 minutes left in the game, Memphis went on a 21-16 run to finish the quarter, building a lead as big as 13 points.
After losing two games, especially ones where the team had opportunities to pull out a victory, Jazz guard Trey Burke said the results are frustrating.
“It’s a tough stretch right now,” he said. “We’re all a little down right now, losing two in a row is never good. We’ve got to bounce back in Phoenix.
“Losing two in a row kind of hurt, because we felt like we had a chance to win (against Portland), and then coming in tonight and losing another tough game is tough.”
While Burke was Utah’s leading scorer with 21 points, Jazz starting point guard Dante Exum scored no points on 0-for-5 shooting. Exum has scored six points in his last four games, but Snyder said he isn’t worried about the young Australian’s development.
“That happens, especially when you’re 19,” he said. “I thought he was dynamic with the ball, and as the game went on, it looked like he started thinking a little bit more.
“It’s the process for him. I don’t lose confidence in him; I really believe in him and his ability to improve. I don’t think we can define Dante’s game yet; I think we just have to keep asking him to work on certain things and see where it takes him.”
The Jazz travel Thursday to Phoenix for a Friday game with the Suns. Even with the double-digit loss, they can find encouragement in the words of Memphis coach Dave Joerger after the game.
“To hold that team to 39 (points in the second half), I know they were on the second of a back-to-back, and we got them in the second half,” he said. “… But they’re on their way. They’re going to be good.”
