Jazz Outrebound, Outshoot Sixers In Easy Win

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz got a much-needed win over the Philadelphia 76ers 120-85, putting together one of their most complete performances of the season

The Jazz had their most efficient shooting night of the year connecting on 16-38 attempts from the three-point line while holding Philly to 85 points, the lowest scoring output by an opponent this season.

Bojan Bogdanovic led the Jazz with 27 points while six Jazzmen scored in double figures.

The @utahjazz are back in the win column.#TakeNote https://t.co/uagGqhKynn

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 17, 2021

Rudy Gobert Dominates Andre Drummond

It should come as no surprise that Rudy Gobert had one of his best games in recent weeks against the Sixers Andre Drummond, as Gobert has traditionally gotten the better of the rival big man.

In 14 meetings heading into Tuesday night’s game, Gobert and the Jazz were 11-3 against Drummond’s teams, even though it would appear the Sixers big man had been the better performer based on their statistics.

In the 14 matchups, here are their stats courtesy of stathead.

Now, Gobert has had the benefit of playing on better teams historically than Drummond, but it’s hard to look at each player’s averages, then compare it with the heavily lopsided record, and not recognize that how large Gobert’s impact is, and how empty some numbers can be.

At this point in their careers where Drummond is transitioning to life as a backup and Gobert is in his prime, the numbers will start to lean more heavily in the Jazzman’s favor, as they did tonight.

Gobert finished with 15 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks in just 28 minutes, and the Jazz outscored Philly by 19 when he was on the floor.

Andre Drummond is -16 tonight while Rudy Gobert is +10 and honestly that passes the eye test incredibly well.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 17, 2021

Drummond was played off the floor recording just six points and six rebounds while the Sixers were outscored by 22 in his 12 minutes.

The Sixers big man is still one of the most productive rebounders in the NBA this season average 11.5 per game, but with his inability to find success against Gobert, he didn’t get enough playing time to reach his average.

Jazz Crash Glass Against Smaller Sixers

With Drummond playing just 12 minutes, the Sixers went small for most of the game, playing either Georges Niang, Tobias Harris, or Paul Reed at the center spot while the Jazz stayed big with Gobert, Hassan Whiteside, and Udoka Azubuike to close the game.

The three connected on 12-19 field goal attempts for 27 points while adding 23 rebounds. In total, the Jazz outrebounded Philly 56-42, tied for their third-largest margin of the season.

The 76ers also managed just six offensive rebounds and after the Jazz had given up 28 in their last two games, and it’s likely the main reason they won the game.

🚫🚫🚫🚫

Not in @rudygobert27's house.#TakeNote https://t.co/jSGlB1uygo

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 17, 2021

“Everything started with our defense,” Bogdanovic said. “Even in the last couple of games, even when we’d have a great defensive possession we couldn’t close it. So finally we controlled our boards and it was kind of easy for us to play off our defense and play in transition and moving the ball.”

In the Jazz nine wins this season, they’ve won the rebounding battle seven times, tied one time, and were outrebounded just once. In their five losses, they’ve been outrebounded three times.

With the Jazz winning on the glass, they were also able to get out in transition to get easier looks on offense. As a result, they connected on 16-38 three-point attempts for 42 percent, their most efficient shooting night of the season to go along with their third most makes.

Value In Jazz/Heat Fourth Quarter Run

It’s easy to dismiss the Jazz big run in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s loss to the Heat as it was clear Miami had little to play for after building a 27 point lead and the Jazz were desperate to show any positive signs to their home crowd.

And for the most part, it’s fair to say that run was superfluous.

However, there is some evidence that the fourth quarter may have jumpstarted the Jazz three-point shooting, specifically that of Bogdanovic.

Big-time Bojan 👟#PerformanceLeader | @UofUHealth pic.twitter.com/ueSXBWFsNn

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 17, 2021

After opening Saturday’s game 1-4 from the three-point line, Bogdanovic connected on 5-9 from three during the furious run that cut Miami’s lead to as small as four in the final minute of the game.

Bogdanovic followed that performance up by knocking down 5-7 from the three-point line en route to a game-high 27 points.

“Whether we’re up or down, that’s how we need to play,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “We need to have that same mentality in the first quarter right out of the gate. Not just if we’re behind and there’s a feeling of desperation.”

With the Jazz struggles to shoot the ball to open the season, any sort of rhythm from the team’s shooters is a promising sign. Bogdanovic has the hot hand as of late, and the Jazz need to hope it’s contagious.

The Jazz will now have a chance to finish their five-game homestand with a winning record when they face the Toronto Raptors on Thursday.

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