‘We have Taken A Step Again’

THE Utah Jazz’The three-game profitable streak to open this 12 months’s preseason sequence lastly got here to an finish Sunday night time, because the San Antonio Spurs acquired the higher of them of their fourth of six preliminary matchups earlier than the common season, incomes a 126-120 victory to convey the Jazz again to 3-1.

Utah wasn’t as fortunate to have a completely energetic roster on this one, as large names like Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Jordan Clarkson and John Collins have been all readily available for this one. And whereas it supplied a welcome likelihood to get this group’s younger expertise extra concerned within the sport plan, it did not actually lead to including one other win to the left column.

After the sport, Jazz head coach Will Hardy talked about what he noticed from his guys, noting that whereas the group is healthier than it was on Day 1 of the camp, Saturday’s efficiency wasn’t essentially the most preferrred.

“I believe our group is healthier than after we began camp, however I believe we took a step again from our final sport,” Hardy stated. “You aren’t getting higher every single day. Like, every single day is not higher than the day earlier than. I am glad to assume the group goes in the correct course, however there have been some issues tonight that have been Clearly slightly bit disappointing.”

It was removed from a flawless outing for the Jazz, as they suffered from each a poor efficiency in ball safety and turnover numbers, in addition to a defensive collapse on the inside – a side that Coach Hardy then dove into.

“In whole, 22 turnovers, together with 13 with stay ball, it’s going to be very tough to beat,” Hardy continued. “We gave up 70 factors within the paint, however 50 of them within the second half. 26 factors in transition, together with 20 within the second half. Our urgency as a bunch should initially start with our effort to vary ends. We We have to change sides extra shortly on offense, and we have to change sides extra shortly when going from offense to protection.

Whereas there have been some hiccups within the course of for Hardy and the Jazz, it wasn’t a complete catastrophe. On the offensive finish, Utah was capable of rating properly regardless of its turnover points, with Collin Sexton main the way in which with a game-high 24 factors. Svi Mykhailiuk and Brice Sensabaugh additionally confirmed their fair proportion within the second unit, combining for 28 factors and 6 three-pointers.

As for the Spurs, Keldon Johnson led the way in which in scoring with 20 off the bench, additionally amassing an attention grabbing poster dunk over Taylor Hendricks.

“Like I stated at first, I believe our group is healthier now than it was the primary day of coaching camp, and that is finally our purpose, is for us to be higher than ‘at first,’ Hardy stated. “Tomorrow is an effective day to get again within the gymnasium and regroup slightly. We have to clear up the bases for tonight’s sport, and I’ve full confidence that we are going to do this.”

The Jazz have two extra preseason video games to play earlier than the true issues start, with their subsequent sport scheduled in opposition to a house crowd in opposition to the Kings of Sacramento October 15 at 6 p.m. MT.

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