Jazz Show Depth, Development, And Defense In Win Over Magic

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz had to battle, but showed off their in-season growth with their 114-99 win over the Orlando Magic.

Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 24 points, while Jordan Clarkson and Hassan Whiteside added 33 points off the bench to help the Jazz survive Orlando.

With the victory, the Jazz improved their win streak to five straight and moved to 35-21 on the season.

The @utahjazz defense continued to shine in their 114-99 win over the @OrlandoMagic. #TakeNote https://t.co/KWBiVrhqir

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 12, 2022

Depth, Development, And Defense Vs. ORL

There is a lot to learn just by comparing the Jazz first game of the season against the Magic and Friday night’s win. First, what’s surprising is how similar they were, and second, how truly different they were.

In both games, the Jazz were without one of their top three players.

In both games, the Jazz shot poorly.

In both games, the Jazz second unit was made up of Trent Forrest, Jordan Clarkson, Eric Paschall, and Hassan Whiteside.

But it was how the Jazz reacted to those similarities on Friday night that allowed them to escape with a win.

Udoka Azubuike on his performance tonight:

"My teammates, they trust me. They made a couple of good passes to me and it was nice to get the W."#TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/8eFNEViz61

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 12, 2022

Whereas Mike Conley missed the first meeting between the teams, leading to a rough 2-9, five point outing from Joe Ingles in replacement minutes, the Jazz got terrific production from Udoka Azubuike stepping in for Rudy Gobert on Friday.

Azubuike scored a career-high 12 points on 6-6 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds in his fifth straight start.

While an 8-42 three-point shooting night in Orlando ultimately led to the Jazz surrendering a 32 point fourth quarter and a win for the Magic, Friday’s poor shooting didn’t cripple the Jazz on defense.

The Jazz opened the game just 3-23 from the three-point line, but held Orlando to 39 points at the half, and took a five point lead into the break.

Donovan Mitchell on the key to the @utahjazz victory despite shooting 3-23 from three in the first half.

"We were up a lot, they came back, but being able to stick with it and guard, not letting our offense affect our defense."#TakeNote | @kslsports

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 12, 2022

And though the second units were the same in both games, the Jazz got just 26 points on 8-28 shooting in game one, and 46 points on 17-34 in game two.

That’s due to the development of Azubuike who is now playing well enough to step into the starting lineup, allowing a veteran like Whiteside to dominate opposing second units, and the growth of Eric Paschall and Trent Forrest who have found ways to help the Jazz win games, even if they aren’t being asked to score.

The Jazz are talented enough that when they are fully healthy, wins will come easily. But, early in the year, when they were missing a key piece in their rotation, the losses stacked up, even against bad teams like the Magic.

After an adversity-filled January that magnified the team’s depth, development, and defensive issues, the Jazz have emerged with a perfect 5-0 record in February, and are playing their best basketball of the season.

Alexander-Walker Learning A New Language

A lot will change for Alexander-Walker now that he’s in a Jazz uniform. The Pelicans were one of the NBA’s worst three-point shooting teams, and the guard’s preferred style of play has been getting into the paint in isolation and looking to score, or kicking the ball to his teammates.

With the Jazz pick and roll, and three-point shooting heavy offense, Alexander-Walker will likely have to adjust to a new style of game to find his way onto the floor.

But, how he plays won’t be the only change, he also has to learn how to speak the Jazz language, specifically, Snyder’s language.

“I was watching the film because I try to catch up on some of the plays, but the language — usually around the league there are terms that are referenced that around the same thing — here it’s Chinese,” Alexander-Waker said. “So it’s new, but I’m learning and the guys have been cool. It’s been fun.”

The @utahjazz are betting on their coaches, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker's intriguing tools after Wednesday's trade. #TakeNote https://t.co/xmDvZna9s2

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 11, 2022

Like most things Snyder does, the Jazz different terminology is far from an accident, and he explained the reason for using his own language before facing Orlando.

“That was a choice on my part when I first got here,” Snyder admitted. “Some of the terminology that I’d use — I didn’t want other guys in the league mad at me for using their terminology. So I tried to come up with some stuff.”

But it goes beyond simple copyright infringement for the coach who revealed the strategy behind his Snydersisms.

“Sometimes what you name something, even if sometimes if it’s a little bit strange, guys remember it.”

📹| They bring energy and new skill sets. Get to know Juancho and Nickeil ⤵️#ShootaroundInterviews | @ZionsBank

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 11, 2022

While Snyder noted that it might take Alexander-Walker sometimes to understand the Jazz language and system, there was one thing he expects his new guard to understand right away.

“You don’t have to learn how to run the court,” Snyder said. “Those are the things that guys have to bring regardless of where they were playing.”

Alexander-Walker played 1:22 to close the Jazz win over Orlando and failed to record a stat.

Follow @benshoops