Jazz Start Season On Historic Defensive Streak
Oct 28, 2019, 11:14 PM | Updated: Oct 29, 2019, 9:26 am
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns attempts shot over Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 28, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – For the fourth straight game, the Jazz held an opposing team to fewer than 100 points.
Opponents haven’t been able to break the century mark yet this season, and the Jazz moved to 3-1 on the season after beating the Phoenix Suns 96-95.
The Jazz last managed the feat two seasons ago, when between March 25 and April 1, the defense held opponents below 100 in four straight outings. The Jazz held three opponents to 97 points in the stretch, and one opponent to just just 91.
Ricky Rubio had five fouls but was two assists away from a triple-double in his first game against the Jazz with his new team. https://t.co/cWs6PH9sd5
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 29, 2019
The Jazz so far this season have allowed three outings of 95, and one outing of 81.
The defense is the best start to the season for the Jazz since 2008, when the Jazz held five teams below 100 to start the season.
“We really worked to get stops, and when you do that, you have a chance,” coach Quin Snyder said, “Our defense generated some offense for us tonight.”
Phoenix was held to 33 of 80 shooting from the field for 41 percent.
Another 🔥🔥🔥first quarter for Bojan Bodanovic! #TakeNote https://t.co/uoMw2DSFet
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 29, 2019
The Jazz weren’t any better.
As a team, the Jazz shot just 27 of 71 from the floor for 38 percent. They were 10 of 31 from three, but won the free-throw battle in dramatic fashion.
The Jazz connected on 32 of 39 attempts. The Suns made just 16 of 23 from the stripe.
The Suns had just 21 points after the first quarter, 39 points at the half, and 70 after three quarters.
Bojan Boganovic and Donovan Mitchell carried the Jazz offensively. The two combined for 54 points.
Bojan Bogdanovic became the 7th player in Jazz history to attempt at least 9 FTA's and at least 8 3PA in a game.
Allen, Mitchell, Hayward, D-Will, Okur, Griffith the others. #TakeNote
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 29, 2019
The Suns were carried offensively by Devin Booker, who led the team with 21 points. Javon Carter set the tone defensively for the Suns, hounding the Jazz guards defensively, but went just 4-11 from the floor.
Both teams were marred by foul trouble, slowing the game down to a glacial pace. A combined 57 fouls were called, preventing either team from establishing an offensive rhythm.
Mike Conley’s offensive struggles returned after a strong outing against the Sacramento Kings Saturday night, going 0-7 from the field, with just one assist and three turnovers. Conley is shooting 20 percent from the floor for the season.
The Jazz had 23 turnovers as a team.
Rudy Gobert was strong on the defensive end, specifically rebounding, where he snared a season-high 18 rebounds, and recorded his first double-double of the season with 13 points. Eleven of Gobert’s points came from the free-throw line.
The Jazz have a chance to extend the streak Wednesday night when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.
