After 2 games the Jazz and Nuggets are tied at 1-1
// April 21st, 2010 // 1 Comment » // 2010 Playoffs
You know what? I couldn’t be happier about that. I would have been happy about it had Memo’s injury never happened. Knowing now that he’s out and that the Jazz won a game in Denver, way to freaking go Jazz!
While Denver dominated the Jazz this year, I always felt like they weren’t necessarily better than us. It seemed like they just knew how to exploit the matchup and the Jazz were slow to react. I hope that stays the case and that the Jazz have learned a lasting lesson because Game 3 is only a couple days away.
The difference in the game wasn’t that the Jazz were missing Mehmet Okur or Fesenko as a starter, rather it was the defensive effort on Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams doing what he does best….kicking ass and taking names.
Reportedly, Matt Harpring advised the Jazz on how to defend Melo better and it involved being a lot more physical with him. In Game 1, Melo had his way with everyone tasked to guard him. They gave him too much space when he caught the ball and he punished the Jazz for it.
In Game 2, he rarely saw those same looks. He attempted 25 shots in each game, making 18 in the first game and only 9 in the second. The more physical defense is nowhere more evident than at the foul line. In Game 2, Melo went to the line 15 times, sinking 14 of them. In Game 1, he was 4 for 4.
Interestingly, the box score for the Jazz in Game 1 and Game 2 was almost identical.
Game 1 Game 2
- 55% FG 53% FG
- 41% 3P 46% 3P
- 75% FT 77% FT
- 31 Rebounds 32 Rebounds
- 26 Assists 26 Assists
- 10 Turnovers 18 Turnovers
- 4 Steals 7 Steals
- 6 Blocks 4 Blocks
- 25 Fouls 30 Fouls
- 113 Points 114 Points
The difference was defense (like the NBA commercial says) and getting outrebounded by 10 boards in Game 1.
Our boy, Wesley Matthews, is going through a hard stretch in his playoff debut. Only shooting 25% from the field and looking noticeably nervous. Hopefully getting back to Salt Lake City will make a difference for his confidence. His defense on Carmelo Anthony needs recognition though because despite playing very well Matthews is doing a solid job against a superstar.
CJ Miles was having a playoff breakout in Game 1 but after a collision with Chauncey Billups towards the end of the 1st half, Miles was sort of a non-factor. In both games he tallied 17 points but was a better contributor in Game 2. Playing better defense on Melo made a difference as well as drawing Melo’s 6th foul 60 feet away from the basket with only :25 left in the game.
What needs to happen going forward is Boozer being more aggressive. In the first 2 games he has been settling for a lot of outside jumpers and while they fell for him he needs to stop being a wussy. Booze only went to the free throw line twice in each game which means he’s avoiding contact. Nene and Birdman are great shot blockers but if the Jazz want a chance to win the series they can’t rely on Boozer’s outside jumpshots.
The Jazz are not going to be able to rely on being at home for these next 2 games. Denver proved how little that mattered by beating us at home without Billups and Melo this season. They also proved it again by losing the the Jazz in the hostile Pepsi Center. Energy Solutions can be a difficult place for opponents but the Jazz seem to sometimes be lulled into a false sense of security there after posting our 37-4 home record there 2 seasons ago.
The Jazz have to expect that Melo will adapt to the new defense he saw in Game 2 and adapt accordingly. That seems to be one of the Achilles’ heel of the Jazz: adaptation. It feels like too little too late when the Jazz do make adjustments.
Melo is too good to not be adjusting always and he’ll be certain to try and draw even more fouls against the Jazz knowing that they are going to be physical with him.
If the Jazz can win the the next 2 games at home, they’ll have a good chance at being able to upset the Nuggets and steal the series. Come on baby
