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SALT LAKE CITY — Will Hardy had to do a double take.
When the Jazz coach met with his staff immediately after his team's 115-99 win over the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday, he glanced down at the box score and immediately asked: "Did we really hold somebody under 100?"
It was the first time in his head coaching career he's seen double digits next to the opposing team's total score. It took 93 games, but a Hardy-coached team finally held a team under 100 points.
"Sheer joy," Hardy said when asked about the accomplishment.
Added All-Star Lauri Markkanen: "We should do that more often."
So can they?
The Jazz started the season relying on a defense centered around Walker Kessler's ability to protect the rim; it didn't go great. Hardy saw plenty of times perimeter players would use Kessler as a crutch — a crutch that was limited with an injured elbow and poor timing.
The result was a bottom five defense in just about every category.
Change was needed even before Kessler was ruled out for a couple weeks to recover his sprained elbow, but that injury accelerated the need and forced Utah's hand a bit.
"We're trying to be more active as a group," Hardy said. "We're trying to lean into our speed, be a little bit more proactive on that end, and I think it's been very good for us."
The early results are promising.
The Jazz had 11 steals against the Blazers, which was a good follow-up to the 10 they had against Memphis Friday.
Utah has been ultra aggressive on pressuring ball handlers, and has been quick to jump into passing lanes in order to generate steals.
"I feel like we didn't have 10 steals all last season; it's been good for us," Hardy said. "It helps us get out in transition, get a couple easy ones, helps us disrupt the rhythm of the other team. I thought there were a bunch of different guys, defensively, who had some good presence on the ball."
He singled out Collin Sexton's efforts on the ball and how he did a good job "stirring" up Portland's offense with his ball pressure. But Sexton, who finished with two steals (and helped force a third), was far from alone. Jordan Clarkson and Ochai Agabji each had a pair, as well, and eight Jazz players finished the game with a takeaway.
"We really are shrinking the floor, forcing guys to take tough shots," Clarkson said. "Defense is all about making people uncomfortable."
Clarkson said the changes the Jazz made has allowed the Utah guards to be more aggressive on the ball, and he thinks the team has done a good job "just causing chaos on that side."
Chaos that might give Hardy some long-awaited rest.
"Obviously, the forcing turnovers has helped us, and we've been able to limit our fouling a little bit as of late," he said. "These are things that we have to stay on top of because they can easily slip; but to see double digits on the scoreboard, I might actually sleep tonight."
