The Utah Jazz Home Court Disadvantage

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz have traditionally had one of the best home court advantages in the NBA, frequently having a disproportionate home winning percentage compared to their record on the road. This season, the Jazz advantage seems to have disappeared, even on nights when it seems the team should have an advantage greater than just playing at home. 

The Toronto Raptors came into Salt Lake City on the second night of a back to back, in the final game of a five game Western Conference road trip, after a tough win in Sacramento, and outplayed, out hustled, and out rebounded the Jazz en route to a 101-92 victory. 

The Jazz have lost five of their last six games at home, including losses to the lottery bound San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns. In the stretch, the Jazz also lost to the Boston Celtics, who like the Raptors were in the final game of a four-game West Coast road trip after playing in Portland the night before.

No quit in @IAmCHAP24 pic.twitter.com/KasMHsikt2

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 10, 2020

Since January 27, the Jazz are just 3-7 at home while winning six out of nine performances on the road. For the season, the Jazz are 21-10 at home with a 20-13 record on the road. 

The struggles at home create a dilemma for the team come playoff time. If the Jazz can earn home court advantage in the first round, can they play well enough in Utah to use it to their benefit? On the flip side, with how well the team has played recently on the road, does home court advantage hold as much importance as it once did for a Jazz team that felt unbeatable in Salt Lake City. 

The team’s issues seemed to have begun with a home loss to the Houston Rockets, who again, like both the Celtics and Raptors, found themselves in Utah, on the second night of back to back games, shorthanded without either James Harden or Russell Westbrook, and beat the Jazz 126-117. 

You heard that one 😲 pic.twitter.com/247qFgrv3Q

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 10, 2020

If the Jazz want to make a deep run in the postseason, they’ll have to find a way to regain their advantage in front of their home court. If they can, teamed with their improved play on the road, they could find themselves playing in May. If the Jazz continue to struggle in Utah, they might find themselves on the wrong side of a first round exit for a second consecutive season, regardless of where they play game one. 

Defense Improving

Despite being on the wrong end of a 53-34 rebounding battle, getting a combined 22 points from Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Rudy Gobert on just 7-28 shooting, the Jazz still had a chance to win the game thanks in large part to their defense. The Jazz finished the night with a defensive ranking of 106.3, their fourth best defensive performance dating back to January 27 when the team’s home struggles began. 

For the sixth straight game, the Jazz had a defensive rating below 120. It’s the best stretch of the season since the Jazz held 13 consecutive opponents to a defensive rating below 120 between December 7 and January 4. 

While the Jazz are still only the 11th best defense in the league over their last six games with a rating of 110.6, it’s an improvement on their struggles in the month of February when the team ranked 16th in the NBA with a rating of 116.7.

Gobert and Anunoby Ejected

Gobert and Raptors forward OG Anunoby were ejected late in the game for nearly coming to blows after a series of elbows were exchanged.

The Jazz center was visibly frustrated through out the fourth quarter after a series of tough whistles put him into foul trouble with five minutes remaining in the game. With 40 seconds remaining Gobert and Anunoby were tossed on this play.

Here is video that the officials watched and decided to eject BOTH Rudy Gobert and OG Anunoby. Anunoby throws his elbow at Rudy's chin. I don't see what Rudy did to deserve an ejection. #NBA #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/e7F2Hs4Bh8

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 10, 2020

Gobert spoke to the media after the game and was clearly perturbed by the matching ejections.

In the video, Anunoby clearly sizes up Gobert before throw an elbow into his chin. Gobert whiffs on a retaliatory body bump as the two ran down the floor.

The Jazz center spoke to the media about the altercation after the game.

Rudy Gobert on OG and ejection: “The guy that’s getting paid to protect us didn’t do his job….next time I’ll do justice myself” pic.twitter.com/EAzv3kWbxt

— Sarah Todd (@NBASarah) March 10, 2020

Gobert should likely expect a fine from the league for threatening further harm if the referees don’t blow their whistle. Anunoby should also get fined, and may miss a game for swinging at an opposing player.