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SALT LAKE CITY — After a disappointing 114-94 loss to Detroit Monday, it’s safe to say that effort was a focus in practice for the Utah Jazz.
The Jazz focused on getting effort in setting screens; effort in fighting for rebounds; effort in switching defensively. And effort is what Utah got, outfighting the Memphis Grizzlies in a variety of areas, except points, in a 91-87 loss in Salt Lake City.
Utah had a 50-40 lead at halftime, built largely on the back of 12 points from Enes Kanter. And the Jazz led 71-62 at the end of three quarters. However, Memphis was able to score 29 points in the fourth quarter while the Jazz countered with only 16.
Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said the game was disappointing in that the team fell short despite playing with more intensity.
“We had an opportunity to win the game,” said Corbin, whose Jazz now fall to 23-49. “They made the plays down the stretch, so give them credit. They made the plays they needed to down the stretch.”
Utah guard Gordon Hayward played large minutes, as did center Enes Kanter and forward Derrick Favors. However, Corbin said fatigue shouldn’t be a reason for Utah’s struggles in the fourth quarter.
“You’re a pro, and you’re 70-plus games into the season,” he said. “You want to play 48 minutes if you get an opportunity. You can use that and say ‘I was tired.’ That’ll say who you are. As a player, I never told a coach I was tired, but some guys might.”
Kanter and Favors, who were assigned the unenviable task of guarding the Memphis big men, combined to score 33 points for the Jazz while grabbing 25 rebounds.
Still, Favors said the loss was greatly disappointing.
“I thought we had that one,” he stated. “We just kind of let it get away from us, and after they started making plays on the defensive end, they started getting shots on the offensive end. It got away from us.”
Memphis forward Zach Randolph and center Marc Gasol combined for 40 points, but Corbin maintained he was proud of the effort of his post players’ defense.
“I thought Enes and Derrick came back and fought hard,” he said. “Although Zach had 10 points in that fourth quarter, I thought they fought him hard for everything he got. He made some tough shots.
“We made a couple mistakes down the stretch that cost us a little bit, but I’m pleased with the way the guys came back and fought tonight.”
Favors also said Kanter’s effort was noteworthy.
“He (Kanter) played a big game tonight,” said Favors, who finished with 22 points to lead the Jazz. “He rebounded, did good on the defensive end, that little dunk — he played a good game tonight.”
Overall, Corbin said the lesson from game 72 will be on how to close out games when leading late.
“Young guys have to learn,” he said. “I thought we executed the ball in the right spots; we didn’t make the shots. We had a couple turnovers there … so we’ll watch some film, and we’ll try and make sure the guys are visually seeing what we’re seeing.”
Favors said the results will change.
“Next time we need to just be focused toward the end of the game,” he said. “(We need to know) every possession counts, and take better care of the ball.”
