Jazz Prepared To Make Adjustments In Game Seven

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Playoff series are often described as chess matches between two coaches. Teams enter with a gameplan, then make adjustments to that game plan as the series progresses. After the Utah Jazz lost game one to the Denver Nuggets, coach Quin Snyder adjusted his team’s attack to focus more on rookie Michael Porter Jr. In game four, after back to back blowout losses, Nuggets coach Michael Malone pulled Porter Jr. from the starting lineup in favor of Jerami Grant, and the Nuggets have won two of the last three meetings.

Now, with the Jazz starring at a win or go home game seven, the onus to make adjustments falls on Snyder and the Jazz to avoid becoming the 12th team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 series lead in the postseason.

“In game seven, I think you go in with a lot more information about what you can do,” Snyder said of the team making adjustments. “And you’re probably prepared to do those things quicker.”

Game 7 l👀ks pic.twitter.com/TfSu5HAKPN

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The Jazz made adjustments to how they have been defending Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, even throwing guard Jordan Clarkson into the mix, with little success. Murray has scored 50 points twice in the last three games and will be a key factor in determining game seven.

“Adjusting still requires preparation,” Snyder said. “Sometimes if you are able to adjust during the game, that’s great but it may not appear to be successful, just like defending or scoring. It’s about execution. So not only do you adjust but you have to adjust with execution.”

As a result of having played six consecutive games against one another, those countermoves can be made more easily.

“You do make adjustments sooner,” Snyder said. “And there are more potential adjustments because you have more experience.”

Jazz Need No Attitude Adjustments Before Game 7

For the Nuggets, game seven is a triumph in itself. After trailing 3-1 in the series, including a 15 point deficit in a potential closeout game five, Denver has achieved one of their goals.

Meanwhile, game seven is the second-worst case scenario for the Jazz next to losing the serious outright. The Jazz have had ample opportunities to end the series, and have yet to make the most of it.

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“There’s always going to be games in the series that you don’t play as well,” Snyder said. “Taking what you will from that game, and moving forward. There’s a lot of enthusiasm about this opportunity.”

Despite finding themselves in a less than ideal situation, Snyder said his team understands the significance of a game seven.

“You hear you hear it a lot from various people that there’s nothing like game seven in the NBA and I think that’s true,” Snyder said. “It’s something that you can feel and experience and prepare for. And regardless of how much you prepare, when you get on the court levels raise. And we have to be ready to raise our level. I think our guys know that they’re looking forward to it.”

The Jazz and Nuggets tip-off game seven at 6:30 pm MT. The game will be broadcast exclusively on ABC.