Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
The Utah Jazz are about the three nowadays.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune.)
The Utah Jazz have not been historically prolific shooters from three. Yes, they have been efficient in the past but they didn’t shoot many from behind the arc. However, in the last two seasons, they were in the Top 10 in threes made and attempted per game. In fact, they led in percentage last season at .380 while they were 7th in made threes (13.4) and 10th in attempts (35.2).
This season? First in made threes (16.5), third in attempts (41.1!), and fourth in percentage (.401). In fact, check out their numbers in their past 6 games, which they won all of them:
@ MIL: 25/53 (.472) (also a franchise record)
@ DET: 11/35 (.314) (the game was low-scoring in general)
@ CLE: 24/45 (.533) (nearly tied franchise record)
v ATL: 20/44 (.455)
@ DEN: 15/37 (.405)
v NO: 21/47 (.447) (fourth time in 6 games they went over 20 made 3s)
Also, they have Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, and Royce O’Neale shooting the most three-pointers this season in their careers. What’s up?
I suppose they finally figured out that they’re good at shooting behind the arc. But look at the capabilities of their roster. Those four players can obviously shoot them, with Mitchell being the worst of that four at .385, which is still really good. And then you still have Joe Ingles and Bojan Bogdanovic, who can straight-out shoot from long distance as well.
Obviously, opponents have to contain Rudy Gobert, who can take care of their house inside. Teams also have to watch for Mitchell’s slashing, which we saw in full gear in the postseason a few months ago. They’ve also historically been a slow-paced team although they seem to be doing a bit more scoring on the transition; they’re middling in fastbreak points at 12.8 points per (good for 14th in the league). But as they find out more about their shooting prowess, maybe it’ll be good for them to do a little more run-and-shoot on their offense. They’re capable of sinking them so try to sink it more in different situations like the transition.
The Jazz got it working for them. They’re both in the Top 10 in offensive and defensive ratings. Let’s see if they can keep up their combustible shooting.
Bullet Passes
Not much going on as we only had two games played on Tuesday. The Pelicans couldn’t stop the hot shooting of the Jazz but the Jazz had a difficult time stopping Zion Williamson in the paint. Another 32-point game by Zion off 14-for-19 shooting.
Lu Dort continues his hot three-point shooting. He made 3 for 6 against the Nuggets and his percentage is up to .437. And he shoots 5.5 per game. They might want to get up on him.
Jamal Murray was predicted to have a big season coming off his amazing playoff run. While he’s averaging a career-best in points (19.2), his shooting from three is a bit below average at .345.
It’s pretty easy to say that Denver has been struggling. But they’re not far behind the Lakers at 3.5 games. Still, they are out of the Top 8 as of now at 7-7.
On the other side, Boston is tops in the East at 8-4. Doesn’t sound the most impressive, either. But again, this is what happens during a pandemic; they had three straight games rescheduled because of the virus.
I don’t like asterisks on a season but I feel this is as close as you can get with one.
NBA Scoreboard
Jan. 19, 2021
Watch This Play
I always appreciate The No-Look Pass. Here’s Facundo Campazzo on the break going between-the-legs to Monte Morris.
omg @facucampazzo pic.twitter.com/yREX3A283M
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 20, 2021
That’s why the Nuggets were so excited to get him on their team.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.