3 reasons the Utah Jazz will be just fine after Game 5 meltdown

#takenote</a> <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/utahjazz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#utahjazz</a></p> <p>— Steve Godfrey (@JazzJunkie12) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/JazzJunkie12/status/989499116722970625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 26, 2018</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>After a second-half performance like the Jazz had on Wednesday, it’s easy to lose proper perspective. I am here to remind everyone of what Rudy Gobert told us back in January…</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">We will be fine</p> <p>— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/rudygobert27/status/949514542790381569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 6, 2018</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>Rudy’s words hold as true as ever today. If you don’t believe me (or Rudy), read on.</p> <p>As of this writing It’s been almost 24 hours since the unthinkable happened. After Utah built a 25-point lead in the third quarter of Wednesday’s closeout game, the premature victory lap tweets began to roll in from far and wide across Jazz Twitter.</p> <p>I even had a Tweet dedicating the game to Enes Kanter all queued up. However, for fear of an embarrassing collapse, I decided to hold off on posting it until the series was locked up. I am SO glad that I did.</p> <p>The optimism of Utah’s chances in a second-round matchup with the Rockets were quickly forgotten as Utah blew their lead and eventually fell to the Thunder and Russell Westbrook’s 45-point effort.</p> <p>Despite the collapse, it’ll all be okay, Jazz fans.</p> <p>Here are three reasons that Jazz fans should be confident that Gobert and Co. will close things out on Friday night in Salt Lake City.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Coaching </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_68708" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-68708" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F04%2F950893202-oklahoma-city-thunder-v-utah-jazz-game-four.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="Utah Jazz Quin Snyder 2018 NBA Playoffs Oklahoma City" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: Head Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz speaks with media after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3>Coaching</h3> <p>Without discrediting Gobert’s impact, Quin Snyder’s basketball genius may be the primary reason that the Jazz made the postseason this year. Now that the Jazz find themselves up 3-2 in their opening series, nothing has changed. Snyder remains one of Utah’s primary advantages in their matchup with the Thunder.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Quin Snyder vs. Billy Donovan is the biggest coaching mismatch of the playoffs, IMO.</p> <p>— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/BenDuBose/status/987910998723039232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 22, 2018</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>Coach Snyder has shown an impressive ability to get the most out of his roster and make adjustments all year to put his team in the best situation to compete.</p> <p>Whether or not the shots are falling, there is no questioning that Snyder’s system creates open looks. Behind Quin’s coaching, Utah has been able to expose OKC’s weakness of giving up open corner threes.</p> <p>I don’t believe Utah’s Game 5 collapse is any indictment against Snyder’s ability to keep his team motivated. I fully expect Snyder and his staff to have the Jazz motivated and ready to match OKC’s intensity and desperation on Friday night.</p> <p>As long as Snyder is leading the charge, Utah will always have a chance.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Team &amp;gt; Individual </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_68709" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-68709" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F04%2F950509908-oklahoma-city-thunder-v-utah-jazz-game-four.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="Utah Jazz" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: The Utah Jazz huddle up during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3>Team &gt; Individual</h3> <p>Coming into the series, many cited the Thunder’s star-studded lineup as the factor that tipped the series in their favor. Over the first five games, Utah’s team-oriented system has proven that theory dead wrong.</p> <p>The NBA has become increasingly focused on superstars and super teams. The Jazz are proving that a well-coached team that plays together can be just as dangerous, if not more, than a team that features three potential Hall of Famers.</p> <p>It has taken a 36-point performance in Game 1 from Paul George and a 45-point outburst from Westbrook in Game 5 to outduel the Jazz this series. While there is no denying that Russ and PG are not more than capable of replicating those efforts this series, Utah’s team system is far more reliable on a nightly basis.</p> <p>Those numbers, however, are extremely hard to reproduce, especially on the road. If Utah can prevent one of OKC’s “Big 3” (Really Big 2. Sorry, Melo) from having another huge game offensively, I like Utah’s chances.</p> <p>Utah can beat you in so many different ways.</p> <p>Game 4 was a perfect example of this…</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/utahjazz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@utahjazz take a 3-1 lead behind a complete team performance! <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#NBAPlayoffs</a></p> <p>Mitchell: 33 PTS, 7 REB<br>Ingles: 20 PTS, 4 AST<br>Gobert: 16 PTS, 10 REB<br>Rubio: 13 PTS, 8 AST, 6 REB<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/TakeNote?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#TakeNote</a> 113 | <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThunderUP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#ThunderUP</a> 96 <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://t.co/ZN58qeu0DN">pic.twitter.com/ZN58qeu0DN

<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/988649147183005696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 24, 2018</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>That’s what made Westbrook’s prime to “shut down” Ricky Rubio in Game 4 so comical. Utah’s system does not rely on a single player like Rubio to have a huge scoring night for the Jazz to win.</p> <p>Even when Donovan Mitchell is struggling to find his shot early, players like Joe Ingles or Derrick Favors have regularly picked up the slack.</p> <p>Again, there is no denying that Westbrook and George have the ability to singlehandedly will their team to victory, I’ll take Utah’s <strong>TEAM</strong> 10-out-of-10 times.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Home Court </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_68711" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-68711" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F04%2F949814156-oklahoma-city-thunder-v-utah-jazz-game-three.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="Utah Jazz Fans Vivint Arena" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 21: Utah Jazz fans hold signage during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3>Home Court</h3> <p>Fortunately for the Jazz, Game 6 will be played back in Salt Lake City.</p> <p>According to Mitchell, the Jazz won’t be returning to OKC until the 2018-2019 season…</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">A buddy sent me this.<br>Donovan Mitchell: “Hey. We’ll see y’all next year.”<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThunderUp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#ThunderUp</a> <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://t.co/sTbt3tKk6q">pic.twitter.com/sTbt3tKk6q

<p>— Gabe Ikard (@GabeIkard) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/GabeIkard/status/989356418103959552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 26, 2018</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>While I don’t entirely agree with giving a team on the ropes who just took back the momentum any more motivation, I tend to side with Mitchell’s prediction.</p> <p>Whether you agree with Mitchell’s confidence or not, Jazz Nation has provided a spark to this Utah squad at home. The Jazz beat the Thunder by an average of 15 points in their two home games this series.</p> <p>Another commonly cited trend is that role players typically play better with the comforts of their home court and crown backing them. That bodes well for players like Royce O’Neale and Dante Exum.</p> <p>Exum has largely been held in check this postseason. However, I’d look for Coach Snyder to give Dante an opportunity to provide Utah with an offensive spark in Game 6. If Utah gets help from its bench on Friday, they will have a great chance to close out the series in front of their home fans.</p> <p>Another factor that plays into home court advantage is officiating. Foul trouble played a large role in OKC’s comeback victory on Wednesday night. Rudy Gobert sat out most of the third quarter after picking up his fourth “foul”.</p> <p>If you can even call this a foul…</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our photographer <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/JDortz_Photog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@JDortz_Photog captured a great angle of Rudy Gobert's 4th foul in Game 5 that shows just how much distance there was between Rudy and Melo. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/nba?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#nba</a> <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://t.co/iDEqCPgyuT">pic.twitter.com/iDEqCPgyuT

<p>— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://twitter.com/JJSportsBeat/status/989555505411473408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 26, 2018</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>I am not one to blame officiating, especially in a game where the Jazz blew a 25-point lead, however, that was a game-changing missed call.</p> <p>Whether you believe in “home cooking” or not, if Gobert can stay out of foul trouble in Game 6, the Thunder will have to rely on knocking down contested jump shots to have any chance of forcing a Game seven back in OKC.</p> <p>Keep your heads up Jazz fans. There is a lot to feel good about. #JazzIn6</p> <div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/3-reasons-utah-jazz-be-just-fine-after-game-5-meltdown/2/"https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/26/utah-jazz-draftee-nigel-williams-goss-went-nuts-wednesday-night/">