Jazz Block Shots, Throw Down Dunks On Way To Big Lead Over Grizzlies
Nov 1, 2023, 9:11 PM | Updated: Nov 2, 2023, 11:35 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz played excellent defense on their way to a commanding lead over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Utah led Memphis 104-79 going into the final quarter.
Anything come to mind, @ArtButSports ??? pic.twitter.com/JyRp5ptNNR
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 2, 2023
The Jazz posted six steals and three blocks through the first three quarters.
Walker Kessler added to this number by sending Jaren Jackson Jr.’s shot right back at him.
Kessler and Jackson were teammates for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup this summer.
no☝️ no☝️ no☝️#TakeNote | @WalkerKessler13 pic.twitter.com/2MMXhD6Qfc
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 2, 2023
All basketball fans know that defense leads to offense.
Kelly Olynyk proved this when he stole the ball from Ziaire Williams, turned around, and threw an alley-oop up to John Collins for the slam.
RELATED: Walker Kessler Dresses Up As Kelly Olynyk For Halloween
‘hold dat’#TakeNote | @jcollins20_ pic.twitter.com/ed9cxfZVN6
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 2, 2023
Heading into the home stretch, Utah looked poised to pick up their second win of the season.
Jazz Head Home After Winless Road Trip
The Utah Jazz will have a clean injury when they face the 0-4 Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night.
Rookies Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh have returned to the Jazz according to the team’s injury report after being assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars earlier in the week.
The Grizzlies meanwhile are down two starters for the foreseeable future as they look to snap their four-game losing streak.
The Jazz return to Utah after dropping back-to-back road games against the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets.
Kevin Durant led the shorthanded Suns to a blowout 126-104 victory over the Jazz on Saturday night, before Monday’s 110-102 loss in Denver.
Despite the loss to the Nuggets, the Jazz appeared to finally find some cohesion in their starting lineup in Denver.
The @utahjazz may not be interested in moral victories, but there was significant growth in Monday’s loss to the @nuggets. #takenote https://t.co/LMzs3MMCII
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 31, 2023
The Jazz won both the third and the fourth quarter as coach Will Hardy kept the starters on the floor for an extended period to open the half.
“There were way more positive things coming out of tonight than negative,” Hardy said after the loss. “Obviously we would have preferred to win, but that’s a very good basketball team.”
The most notable positive came from the Jazz’s frontcourt. After a slow start to the year from second-year center Walker Kessler and newcomer John Collins, the new pairing along with All-Star Lauri Markkanen combined for 64 points and 36 rebounds in the loss.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
