2 studs and 1 dud from Utah Jazz win over 76ers
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)
Utah Jazz stud: Rudy Gobert
If you’re playing for or against the Utah Jazz, good luck grabbing a rebound. Rudy Gobert is trying to claim a monopoly on them.
The Stifle Tower finished this game with 17 points, 21 rebounds and 2 blocks. As always, Gobert dominated inside. What was special about this performance, however, was that one of his opponents has the potential to do the same, and failed to.
Gobert largely neutralized 76ers star Joel Embiid throughout this game. He finished with 19 points on 8/18 shooting, and a relatively modest 9 rebounds.
Nobody could deny that Joel Embiid is a more talented offensive player than Gobert. He’s a reasonably effective three-point shooter with a much more sophisticated post-up and face-up game. It simply doesn’t matter when Gobert is able to shut him down like he did last night.
That’s not often a part of Gobert’s job description. In an increasingly guard and wing dominated league, Gobert is usually responsible for anchoring the team’s defense, occupying the middle and shutting down any opponent that dares to attempt a dunk or a layup.
Last night, Gobert actually had to pay mind to his individual matchup, and he was marvelous. He blanketed Embiid at every opportunity, stifling several field goal attempts that the star center would generally convert.
Gobert dominated a superstar matchup, and the interior as a whole in this contest. If that doesn’t earn him stud status, it’s difficult to imagine what could.
!["Utah](https://thejnotes.com/2021/12/10/2-studs-1-dud-utah-jazz-76ers/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fimagn-images%2F2017%2F07%2F17328374.jpeg")
destroy teams with relentless three-point shooting</a>, but that wasn’t the story of this contest. As a team, the Jazz shot 15/40 from three-point range, good for 37.5%. That’s an absolutely solid mark, but it doesn’t compare to the unreasonable combination of volume and accuracy they’ve been enjoying lately.</p>
<p>Which only makes it all the more encouraging that they came out with a win anyway. The Jazz executed to perfection on defense in this contest, which is likely true whenever you hold a Joel Embiid-led NBA team to 96 points. They also modified their shot diet to get more inside looks as it became apparent that three-pointers weren’t necessarily going to fall. That sort of flexibility should bode well for Quin Snyder in the upcoming postseason.</p>
<p>Here are 2 studs and 1 dud from this contest.</p>
<h2>Utah Jazz stud: Joe Ingles</h2>
<p>Before we talk about this dynamic performance from Jingles, we actually need to mention Donovan Mitchell. He won’t be included in this article. He finished with 22 points, shooting 8/19 from the field and 5/10 from three-point range. He was good: his overall accuracy from the field left a bit to be desired, but that three-point clip is fantastic. Overall, he was roughly as good as he needs to be for the Utah Jazz to win games.</p>
<p>Joe Ingles was a little better than necessary.</p>
<p>He finished this one with 11 points on 4/9 shooting and 3/7 three-point shooting and 7 assists. His extra playmaking was essential to diversifying the Jazz’s attack. On several occasions, the Jazz found themselves consistently missing from three-point range, and Ingles’ ability to set up a teammate with a pass inside acted as a safety valve. His own steady hand from beyond the arc didn’t hurt either.</p>
<p>Utah Jazz fans know that Ingles is the type of player who <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2021/12/10/2-studs-1-dud-utah-jazz-76ers/2/"https://thejnotes.com/2021/11/30/joe-ingles-starting-utah-jazz/">can make large offensive contributions</a>, or play a more supporting role. He wore the former cap in this contest, and contributed to this win in a big way.</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/2021/12/10/2-studs-1-dud-utah-jazz-76ers/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Another stud </a>
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<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2021/12/10/2-studs-1-dud-utah-jazz-76ers/2/"https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2017/07/17328333.jpeg">!["Utah](https://thejnotes.com/2021/12/10/2-studs-1-dud-utah-jazz-76ers/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fimagn-images%2F2017%2F07%2F17328333.jpeg")
is a more talented offensive player</a> than Gobert. He’s a reasonably effective three-point shooter with a much more sophisticated post-up and face-up game. It simply doesn’t matter when Gobert is able to shut him down like he did last night.</p>
<p>That’s not often a part of Gobert’s job description. In an increasingly guard and wing dominated league, Gobert is usually responsible for anchoring the team’s defense, occupying the middle and shutting down any opponent that dares to attempt a dunk or a layup.</p>
<p>Last night, Gobert actually had to pay mind to his individual matchup, and he was marvelous. He blanketed Embiid at every opportunity, stifling several field goal attempts that the star center would generally convert.</p>
<p>Gobert dominated a superstar matchup, and the interior as a whole in this contest. If that doesn’t earn him stud status, it’s difficult to imagine what could.</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/2021/12/10/2-studs-1-dud-utah-jazz-76ers/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> A dud </a>
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<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2021/12/10/2-studs-1-dud-utah-jazz-76ers/2/"https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2017/07/17323273.jpeg">!["Utah](https://thejnotes.com/2021/12/10/2-studs-1-dud-utah-jazz-76ers/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1120,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fimagn-images%2F2017%2F07%2F17323273.jpeg")
<span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Reacting to updated Jazz 2K ratings </a> </div>
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<p>Any win that comes on the tail end of a back-to-back is a big win in the NBA. The Utah Jazz may have been fortunate that the 76ers were in the same position, but they showed guts and determination to outlast a team that had won four of its last five. They’ll take a break tonight before squaring off with the Washington Wizards on Saturday.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
