Rockets hit orbit in the 2nd half...Jazz stay grounded....

  Utah Jazz fall to the Houston Rockets 104-93.  Jazz now 0-3 on the season.  This game was a lot closer than the final score reads.  The Jazz controlled nearly 3 quarters of the game and held a lead of 19 points at one time.  Houston had a strong second half and really took the Jazz out of what they wanted to do.  Lets take a look....

• Early in the game, the crowd was in to the game and the players really need to feed off that.
• First quarter, Favors had a great steal in the post and came out leading the break, made a pass to Jefferson and he fumble the ball.
• Defense in the first half was just about perfect.
• The Jazz may lead the league in offensive rebounding.  Great job on the offensive boards.
• Jazz are getting no respect from their opponent or the officials.
• Gordon Hayward dunked on Aaron Brooks and was clearly fouled.....no call.
• Chandler Parsons is really underrated.  Had 20 pts in the first half/
• Mike Harris is not afraid of anyone in this league.  Went right at Howard and Asik.
• Jazz were up 12 at one point gave up 2 quick buckets. Ty made a good time out call and the Jazz came out and scored the next possession.
• Jazz did run some "FLEX" offense and did so effectively.
• John Lucas really struggled from deep tonight.  Seem to only make difficult 2's.
• As a team, the Jazz were aggressive taking the ball to the hoop and challenging Houston's bigs.
• Gordon Hayward missed a close out on Parsons with 5:30 left in the fourth that lead to a Jeremy Lin 3.  The game was lost at that point.
• Burks has to be better at the Free-throw line 2-4
• As a team the Jazz were better from the line 21-27 77.8%, other than Hayward 0-2 and Burks.
• Jazz fans leaving with 3 minutes left, need to stick around and support this team better.  This was not a blow out!  Stick around!
• Jeremy Lin was really good the last 6 minutes.  Ran the pick and roll really well and kept dribble alive.
• Jazz limited their turnover tonight 15
• Houston shot 35 free-throws to the Jazz 27....no home cooking, no respect.
• Omer Asik has bad hair.

  

The Jazz battled hard.  These are the growing pains that Jazz fans knew they would have to endure.  That being said this team needs those fans to support them, not bail early.  Yeah, maybe the support may not change the outcome of the game.  But it does effect the players mentality and the kind of effort they will put out.  I guess if you want to look at something positive, the Jazz have been in every game, just haven't been able to close it out.  These games will help the team as the season progresses.  Oh and Philadelphia is 3-0.  Looks like we are in the drivers seat....

W's are nice, but the Jazz needed the experience...

  The Jazz fall to the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-98.  The Jazz were in this game despite 22 turnover and 42 pts from Kevin Durrant.  Here are a few thoughts on a hard fought game.

• Rudy Gobert is really going to push Kanter and will actually make both of them better.  
• Derrick Favors is playing much better with the contract situation behind him.
• Defensive rotations were really good tonight.
• The Jazz moved the ball really well in the first half.  Finished the game with 25 assists
• Favors and Kanter did not rebound well tonight despite the #'s.  The 2nd half was better.
• Kanter needs to be more assertive in every aspect of his game.  Needs to use his NASTY!
• Despite the 22 turnovers and the 2nd best player in the league getting 42 the Jazz were right there.
• Ty made a great situational coaching call with the Jazz down 2 with 40 seconds left, called a time out and set up a play.  Unfortunately Durrant got a hand on it and forced a turnover.  This is something Ty did not do well last season.  Its good to see progression from him and the staff.  His one mistake was taking Alec Burks out with about 7 minutes left.  But Alec did look gassed.
• Mike Harris may have sealed his own deal for the year with his all-around play.
• Everyone play better with rhythm, but this more important for Alec.  He will be a far better shooter overall when he gets rhythm.
• Could the contract situation be weighing on Gordon?  I think so.....
• Foul trouble killed the wings, we really need Rush and Williams soon.
• Lastly, Jazz did lose but Philly won.....so I guess that is like a win for the Jazz and the race for #1

  The game was a great game to watch.  Guys battled all the way.  I am not sure if I can handle 81 more close games!  Luckly they won't all be nail bitters but I think the Jazz will be in a lot more of those then people think.  Go Jazz!!!