Royce O’Neale, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Coming off a five-game winning streak, the Utah Jazz came up short against the defending NBA Champions last night. Here are three takeaways from the close loss.
The Utah Jazz had won five straight games going into last night. They were getting the Toronto Raptors on the second end of a back-to-back while missing key players with injury. They were back at home, where they owned a record of 21-9.
Despite the tough competition, many thought the Jazz would be able to extend their winning streak to six games. They had a lot going for them, but in the end, that didn’t happen. The Utah Jazz dropped to 41-23 after falling to the Raptors last night.
It was a close game all night long, ending with a final score of 101-92. It was a frustrating game filled with poor officiating (Rudy Gobert‘s ejection still has me flabbergasted) and poor decision making, but I saw some positives to go with the negatives. We’ll get into some of those later.
Despite the loss, the Jazz remained fourth in the Western Conference after the night. They are just one game ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder and three games behind the Denver Nuggets in the standings.
Let’s hope that the Utah Jazz can find some consistency after this and just brush off this loss. Since January, they’ve been rotating between winning and losing streaks. They can’t let this game put them back in a downward spiral.
They have an extremely important game up next. They’ll be in Oklahoma City taking on the Thunder tomorrow night at 6:00 MT. This game could go a long way when it comes to seeding in the Western Conference.
Before we look towards that game, let’s take a quick look at some takeaways from a physical bout with the Raptors last night. It was a weird game that left fans feeling all sorts of ways, to say the least.
Utah Jazz</a> had won five straight games going into last night. They were getting the Toronto Raptors on the second end of a back-to-back while missing key players with injury. They were back at home, where they owned a record of 21-9.</p>
<p>Despite the tough competition, many thought the Jazz would be able to extend their winning streak to six games. They had a lot going for them, but in the end, that didn’t happen. The Utah Jazz dropped to 41-23 after falling to the Raptors last night.</p>
<p>It was a close game all night long, ending with a final score of 101-92. It was a frustrating game filled with poor officiating (<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Rudy Gobert</a>‘s ejection still has me flabbergasted) and poor decision making, but I saw some positives to go with the negatives. We’ll get into some of those later.</p>
<p>Despite the loss, the Jazz remained fourth in the Western Conference after the night. They are just one game ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder and three games behind the Denver Nuggets in the standings.</p>
<p>Let’s hope that the Utah Jazz can find some consistency after this and just brush off this loss. Since January, they’ve been rotating between winning and losing streaks. They can’t let this game put them back in a downward spiral.</p>
<p>They have an extremely important game up next. They’ll be in Oklahoma City taking on the Thunder tomorrow night at 6:00 MT. This game could go a long way when it comes to seeding in the Western Conference.</p>
<p>Before we look towards that game, let’s take a quick look at some takeaways from a physical bout with the Raptors last night. It was a weird game that left fans feeling all sorts of ways, to say the least.</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/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The bench </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-82342" src=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1206293391.jpeg" alt="Utah Jazz" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1206293391.jpeg 3200w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1206293391-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>The bench outplayed the starters… big time</h3>
<p>Remember towards the beginning of the season when the Utah Jazz bench was allowing teams to decimate them on a nightly basis? That’s long gone now. Utah’s bench had another phenomenal showing last night against Toronto.</p>
<p>The unit featuring <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/clarkjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jordan Clarkson</a>, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/inglejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Joe Ingles</a>, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/niangge01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Georges Niang</a> and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bradlto01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tony Bradley</a> has been on fire lately. Typically playing along with <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/conlemi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Mike Conley</a>, the second unit is pushing the pace, hitting from the perimeter and even playing some defense.</p>
<p>They played significantly better than the starters last night, which doesn’t happen often. The starting unit combined for 50 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists on 17-51 shooting. Most fans wanted to see the Jazz close with the second unit, but it didn’t happen.</p>
<p>The bench combined for 42 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists on 16-32 shooting and were led by Joe Ingles and Tony Bradley. We’ll get more into Ingles soon (spoiler alert), but can we take a second to talk about young Bradley?</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Tony Bradley's development is gaining importance" data-url="https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/01/utah-jazz-tony-bradleys-development-gaining-importance/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-team-logo"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: " data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/01/utah-jazz-tony-bradleys-development-gaining-importance/"> <img src=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_108,h_108,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fjazz__108x108.png"> <div class="story-link-text-box"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story</span> <h3 class="title-text" style="color: #00265D;">Tony Bradley's development is gaining importance</h3> <p class="read-now">Read now >></p> </div> </a> </div>
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<p>This is a kid who spent the first two seasons of his career primarily playing in the G-League, and started this season out of the rotation. He’s worked incredibly hard, stayed devoted and his major improvements are paying off.</p>
<p>Bradley has arguably been Utah’s best bench player over the past few games. He rebounds, runs the floor, finishes around the rim and looks a lot better defensively. Shout out to the big man for his efforts.</p>
<p>Since acquiring Jordan Clarkson from the Cavaliers, Utah’s second unit has been on fire. It feels relieving being able to count on them for production. Moving Ingles to the bench makes it even more deadly. I love what I’m seeing from these guys!</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/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Welcome back, Joe Ingles! </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-82343" src=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1206312974.jpeg" alt="Utah Jazz" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1206312974.jpeg 3200w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1206312974-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Joe Ingles, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Joe Ingles has regained his lost swagger</h3>
<p>During Utah’s five-game winning streak, Joe Ingles had played pretty well after bombing out in weeks prior. Despite that, Utah Jazz fans were still waiting for a signature game from the fan favorite from Australia.</p>
<p>Ingles had that signature performance against Toronto last night. It’s a shame that it came in a loss, but Ingles looked fantastic. He had 20 points, five rebounds and six assists while shooting 8-12 from the floor and 4-8 from deep.</p>
<p>He was talking trash, letting it fly from deep without hesitation, getting to the basket and making plays for his teammates. I’ve said it before — when Ingles is on his game, he’s extremely deadly and makes this Jazz team a lot tougher. When he’s off his game, he’s <em>way </em>off and the Jazz tend to struggle.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="3 reasons why Royce O'Neale's starting job should be permanent" data-url="https://thejnotes.com/2020/02/29/utah-jazz-3-reasons-royce-oneales-starting-permanent/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-team-logo"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: " data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://thejnotes.com/2020/02/29/utah-jazz-3-reasons-royce-oneales-starting-permanent/"> <img src=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_108,h_108,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fjazz__108x108.png"> <div class="story-link-text-box"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story</span> <h3 class="title-text" style="color: #00265D;">3 reasons why Royce O'Neale's starting job should be permanent</h3> <p class="read-now">Read now >></p> </div> </a> </div>
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<p>I think having him as a reserve gives him more freedom and it’s helped him. His confidence is high right now and you love to see it. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Royce O’Neale</a>, who replaced him in the starting lineup, also looks like a much better fit in his new role. It’s worked out for both players.</p>
<p>Let’s just hope that Ingles can keep up this strong play and have more games like this. He gave the Jazz a ton of energy off the bench and really catapulted Utah’s fourth quarter run against Toronto. This is the Joe Ingles we’ve been waiting for.</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/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Competitiveness was much higher </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-82344" src=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2287,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1206308094.jpeg" alt="Utah Jazz" width="3200" height="2287" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1206308094.jpeg 3200w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1206308094-768x549.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>All things considered, they played a much better game compared to last time</h3>
<p>These two teams last met on December 1st of 2019, and boy, it was ugly. The Utah Jazz found themselves down by 40 points at halftime and lost the game by 30 points. It was one of the lowest points of the season for a talented Jazz team looking to find themselves.</p>
<p>The Jazz are in a much better position now compared to then. They’re a completely different team, too. I mean, losing by 40 points at halftime? That’s unheard of. The Jazz were in this game all night long and had a chance to win it. They nearly took down the defending champions despite the major offensive struggles they had.</p>
<p>I know, a loss is a loss, but I’m just glad to see them play a championship contending team so closely. If the Jazz get more production from their All-Stars and shoot the ball from the perimeter better, they probably win this one.</p>
<p>This was a win the Jazz would have loved to have. Every win counts towards claiming home court advantage in the playoffs. However, at the very least, they can walk away from this feeling upbeat. They have enough talent on this roster to compete with any team in the league.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Utah Jazz are slowly trending into peak playoff form" data-url="https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/01/utah-jazz-tony-bradleys-development-gaining-importance/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/10/utah-jazz-3-takeaways-battle-champions/"https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/01/utah-jazz-tony-bradleys-development-gaining-importance/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Utah Jazz are slowly trending into peak playoff form </a> </div>
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<p>As mentioned earlier, the Utah Jazz will be taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder up next. This is another chance for this team to get a win and gain some confidence going into the playoffs. They gave Toronto a good fight; let’s see that same effort tomorrow night!</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">