Can The Jazz Shoot Too Many Threes?
Apr 12, 2021, 6:21 PM | Updated: 6:24 pm
Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz's shoots against Denver Nuggets' PJ Dozier (35) during the second half of an NBA basketball first-round playoff game at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 17, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz are hoping they’ve broken out of their worst shooting slump of the season, connecting on just 29 percent of their three-point attempts over the last four games. Yet, the team is taking more attempts than anyone in the NBA over the same stretch. Is it possible the Jazz are taking too many threes?
Over the last four games, the Jazz have attempted 44, 44, 42, and 50 three-pointers while making just 12, 11, 12, and finally 18 on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings to break out of their cold shooting slump.
Before facing the Washington Wizards on Monday, Jazz guard Joe Ingles discussed the team’s high-volume shooting.
“Teams realize we want to push the ball, we want to shoot threes,” Ingles said. “We’re trying to shoot probably at times too many, we probably shoot sometimes on consecutive plays.”
Joe from Happy Valley 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/9f6wYG5yOO
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) April 11, 2021
The Jazz have been one of the league’s best three-point shooting teams throughout the season, attempting the most at 43.2 per game, while sitting tied for the third-best success rate at 39 percent.
“I think sometimes we get stuck not necessarily in hero ball, but trying to get a lead back in one or two possessions instead of moving the ball,” Ingles said.
However, even with the Jazz recent shooting woes, they’ve still had the league’s eighth-most efficient offense and sixth-most efficient defense during the stretch. As a result, Jazz coach Quin Snyder wants to see his team continue to take shots.
“If you pass up looks, what we’ve found with our group is it’s a nice thought that you might get something better,” Snyder said, “but by and large, if we’ve got a look from three, that’s probably the best shot we’re going to get through a possession.”
#TakeNote#TakeNote#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/22uNt93nrJ
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) April 11, 2021
So while the Jazz shooting of late hasn’t been up to par with their success for the season, don’t expect to see them suddenly go away from taking threes.
“If you’ve missed a few in a row, we have to feel the game, and sometimes just driving to the basket might generate a better three,” Snyder said. “So I don’t want us to be hesitant.”
