NBA Trade Rumors: Jazz's Joe Ingles 'A Name to Watch' as Rival Execs Discuss Value
Dec 24, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 23, 2021 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz may explore trading Joe Ingles ahead of the 2022 NBA trade deadline as they try to fortify their roster for a deep playoff push.
Zach Lowe of ESPN reported league executives have wondered what the Jazz could land by packaging Ingles and a first-round pick. The veteran forward is in the final year of his contract and has seen his numbers and role take a dip this season.
Trade talk has ground to a halt across the NBA as the league deals with a massive COVID-19 surge. Several games have been postponed, and most teams are fielding a bare-bones roster as they struggle to keep enough healthy players to play in games.
It's unlikely any major trades happen until the outbreak has been quelled.
Ingles has a $13.0 cap hit this season, which is a relative bargain even in his slightly diminished state. It's difficult to envision what type of player the Jazz could land in that price range who would be more impactful during the postseason.
Utah is currently third in the Western Conference with a 22-9 record, but its focus is not on the regular season. The Donovan Mitchell-Rudy Gobert Jazz have consistently fallen short in the playoffs, having never gotten past the second round.
With Ingles standing out as more of a luxury than a vital piece at the moment, it's possible that the Jazz look for a player who breaks the mold in their steady offensive ecosystem.
Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert Power Jazz to Big Win vs. Clippers
Dec 16, 2021
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in action during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Utah Jazz kept their win streak alive Wednesday, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 124-103 at home for their eighth consecutive victory. Donovan Mitchell was one of four 20-point scorers, finishing with a team-high 27 points as Utah improved to 20-7.
Jordan Clarkson had 21 points off the bench. Bojan Bogdanovic added 20, and Rudy Gobert notched a double-double with 20 points and 17 rebounds.
In the first meeting of the season between the two teams, the Jazz were able to get some revenge after the Clippers eliminated them from the playoffs in the Western Conference Semifinals last season. It was also the beginning of a six-game homestand for Utah.
Los Angeles fell to 16-13 and had its four-game win streak snapped. Marcus Morris Sr. had 24 points and eight rebounds in the loss. Eric Bledsoe had 21 points and eight assists off the bench.
Clippers star forward Paul George, who missed the previous three games with an elbow injury, sat out again Wednesday.
Notable Player Stats
G Donovan Mitchell, UTAH: 27 points
G Jordan Clarkson, UTAH: 21 points (off bench)
C Rudy Gobert, UTAH: 20 points, 17 rebounds
F Bojan Bogdanovic, UTAH: 20 points (6-of-7 3-pt FG)
F Marcus Morris Sr., LAC: 24 points, 8 rebounds
G Eric Bledsoe, LAC: 21 points, 8 assists (off bench)
Jazz's Balanced Attack Keys Victory
Utah is one of the deepest teams in the NBA, and Wednesday's game was indicative of just that. Multiple players were key contributors to the team's win.
Clarkson, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, sparked the team off the bench, scoring 14 of his 21 points in the first half to help erase an early seven-point deficit.
Bogdanovic hit his first four three-pointers for 12 first-half points. Gobert matched his first-half total and also did a great job protecting the rim, as usual.
Jazz up 65-59 on the Clippers at the half. Talk about rim protection: the Clippers had ONE layup all half long. 1/5 from within 4 feet of the court. Hot shooting from outside keeping them in it, though.
With the supporting cast playing strong early on, Mitchell was able to take over down the stretch. He scored 19 of his 27 points in the second half with 13 coming in the third quarter alone.
When the Clippers got within single digits of the lead in the fourth quarter, the Jazz didn't flinch and used an 18-6 run to put the game away.
Absolutely showtime from the Jazz to finish this one. The Mitchell passing, the Bogdanovic shooting, the Gobert putback dunk and no-look pass... Jazz up 22 on the bewildered Clippers.
After a 6-5 start to the season, Utah has looked like the team that finished with the best record in the Western Conference last year during this win streak. The Jazz are the hottest team in the league, and it's going to take a strong effort on both ends to cool them off.
Short-Handed Clippers Can't Keep Up with Jazz
Los Angeles should be credited for showing some fight early in Wednesday's game. But without George, there just wasn't a player on the floor capable of carrying the team.
Along with Bledsoe and Morris, Luke Kennard helped keep the Clippers afloat in the early going.
The Clippers had jumped out to a seven-point lead nearly midway through the second quarter, but Utah eventually woke up. The Jazz ended on a 25-12 run to take a 65-59 lead going into halftime.
Los Angeles played hard and did its best to keep the game competitive, but Utah pulled away in the second half and never looked back. The Clippers, to their credit, continued to try to claw their way into the game and cut the lead to single digits, but it just wasn't enough.
The Clippers were facing one of the most complete teams in the NBA as the Jazz are one of two teams in the league to rank in the top five in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Wednesday's game would've been tough for Los Angeles even if George was in the lineup, but without him the team was facing a daunting challenge.
Once Los Angeles is back at full strength, the team will have better luck competing with the top teams in the Western Conference.
What's Next?
The Jazz will go for their ninth straight win on Friday when the San Antonio Spurs come to town. The Clippers will look to bounce back on Saturday in a road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Former Celtics President Danny Ainge Hired by Jazz as Alternate Governor, CEO
Dec 15, 2021
Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge prior to the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Danny Ainge's retirement did not last long.
The former Boston Celtics president of basketball operations joined the Utah Jazz as alternate governor and CEO on Wednesday.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who first reported the news, Ainge will oversee Utah's basketball operations with Justin Zanik staying on as general manager.
Jazz owner Ryan Smith has had a longtime friendship with Ainge, who was a legendary player at BYU. Ainge stepped down as Celtics GM after last season, but now returns with the Jazz to oversee basketball operations and work closely with GM Justin Zanik.
The 62-year-old stepped down from his post with the Celtics in June as part of an organizational shuffle that saw Brad Stevens move away from coaching to serve as the new head of basketball operations.
While Ainge's resignation wasn't much of a surprise, Stevens' transition to the front office was seen as a major shock around basketball.
Ainge served as the person in charge of basketball operations with the Celtics since 2003, winning the NBA Executive of the Year in 2008 for helping form a championship-winning squad by acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. His tenure in Boston was defined by shrewd, team-first moves that always put the long-term health of the franchise over loyalty.
He famously traded Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets for a franchise-altering haul of draft picks that landed them Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. While that move was lauded as one of the best trades in NBA history, his calculated roster-building alienated some.
When Ainge traded beloved star Isaiah Thomas months after he played through a hip injuryāa move that fundamentally altered Thomas' careerāthe move damaged the executive's reputation with some players and agents.
The Celtics also declined in recent seasons due to an inability to retain talent. Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and Terry Rozier all left in recent offseasons with minimal return. And Kemba Walker, the biggest free-agent signing of Ainge's tenure, was a disappointment due to injuries that limited him to 99 games over the previous two seasons.
Walker was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with the No. 16 overall draft pick in 2021 and a 2025 second-rounder, for Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick in June shortly after Stevens took over for Ainge.
Utah will be banking on the overall positive impact of Ainge's tenure in Boston being a bellwether of good times.
The Jazz using Ainge in a prominent role should give their already successful front office a smart voice to bounce around ideas.
There's such a strong foundation of talent already in place in Utah that Ainge doesn't have to dramatically alter what the franchise is doing. Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic and Rudy Gobert have the Jazz off to a 19-7 start this season, third in the Western Conference.
NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Suns' Jalen Smith, Spurs' Bryn Forbes and Jazz Targets
Dec 13, 2021
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 10: Jalen Smith #10 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on December 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
The early part of the 2021-22 NBA season has been quiet in terms of trades and player movement. But things have started to heat up in recent days.
In his latest news and notes roundup Monday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on some rumors floating around the league.
Let's take a look at a few of them.
Phoenix Suns C Jalen Smith
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 10: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics boxes out Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns and Jalen Smith #10 of the Phoenix Suns during the game on December 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns second-year big man Jalen Smith has not seen much playing time during his young career. He's played in just eight games this season and has averaged 3.4 points in 7.1 minutes.
Charania reported that the Suns are receiving interest for the 21-year-old Maryland product, and teams are expecting a move to be made soon.
"Despite declining his third-year option, the Suns have had interest generate in talks to move center Jalen Smith, sources said," Charania wrote. "But interested teams expect a potential move for Smith as the Dec. 15 dateāwhen most offseason signings can be tradedānears."
Phoenix is 21-4 and is hoping to contend for a second straight appearance in the NBA Finals. Smith is still very raw, and it seems like the Suns don't have time to wait for him to develop, making him expendable.
Smith's youth and athleticism could make him intriguing to teams that are rebuilding. He could also be used as part of a larger deal for Phoenix to reel in a bigger star.
Smith hasn't had the opportunity to display the skills that made him the 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft. A team that trades for him would be acquiring an unknown commodity and hoping he lives up to his potential.
San Antonio Spurs G Bryn Forbes
San Antonio Spurs' Bryn Forbes walks up the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in San Antonio. New York won 121-109. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Sixth-year combo guard Bryn Forbes is in his second run with the San Antonio Spurs, but it could be a short stint.
Charania reported that Forbes, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks last season after spending the first four years of his career in San Antonio, is "expected to procure interest from contending teams throughout the league."
Forbes shot 45.2 percent from beyond the arc and averaged 10.0 points last season. He was a key contributor during Milwaukee's run to an NBA title.
The 28-year-old is playing on an expiring contract worth $4.5 million. Forbes' ability to stretch the floor and his championship pedigree make him an attractive player to teams hoping to contend this year.
Forbes has not started a game this season and has averaged 7.2 points in 14.3 minutes while shooting 42.5 percent from three-point range over 25 games. An increased role on a contending team could help him return to the form that saw him average 10 or more points in each of the last three seasons.
At 19-7, the Utah Jazz are among the top contenders in the Western Conference. But the team is looking up at offensive juggernauts in the Phoenix Suns (21-4) and Golden State Warriors (21-5), so Utah is looking for help on defense.
"The Jazz are pursuing a defensive-minded wing on the trade market, sources said," Charania stated.
The Jazz are already one of the best defensive teams in the league, ranking fourth with opponents averaging 104.2 points against them.
With three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert as the team's anchor down low, adding a defensive specialist on the wing could set up the Jazz for the playoff success that has eluded them in recent seasons.
Utah has a deep team with five players who score in double figures, led by Donovan Mitchell's 24.8 points per game.
Donovan Mitchell Drops 22 as Jazz Beat 76ers with Joel Embiid Playing Through Injury
Dec 10, 2021
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 9: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers on December 9, 2021 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Donovan Mitchell finally cooled off some on Thursday night. No biggieāthe rest of the Utah Jazz picked up the slack.
Led by eight players scoring double-digit points, the Jazz beat the Philadelphia 76ers 118-96.
Mitchell came into the game en fuego, with 30 or more points in four straight games. While he couldn't keep that streak going, he and the Jazz outdueled Sixers superstar center Joel Embiid, who has been excellent since returning from a three-week COVID-19 absence in mid-November but left Thursday's game late in the third quarter with abdominal pain.
By the time he returned with just over nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Sixers found themselves in a 16-point hole, a deficit they wouldn't overcome.
The result bumped the Jazz up to 18-7 on the season, while Philly fell to 14-12.
Key Stats
Donovan Mitchell, Utah: 22 points, six assists
Rudy Gobert, Utah: 17 points, 21 rebounds, two blocks
Mike Conley, Utah: 10 points, four assists
Joel Embiid, PHI: 19 points, nine rebounds, three steals
Tobias Harris, PHI: 17 points, seven rebounds
Seth Curry, PHI: 18 points, four assists
The Sixers Can't Seem To Catch A Break
Ben Simmons wants to be traded and hasn't played a game for the team thus far this season. Countless players have missed time due to injuries or the NBA's health and safety protocols. Both Tyrese Maxey and Embiid temporarily left Thursday's game with knocks.
Joel Embiid sees Bassey coming to the scorer's table, takes a foul and gets a technical for his trouble. His night is done.
Sixers have been completely outclassed tonight but obviously Embiid's health is the biggest concern moving forward.
The Jazz lead Philly 94-78ā¦.the Sixers donāt really have the shooting or the playmaking to survive for long with Embiid off the floor, and the Jazz rotation is so deep with both that they are creating a ton of separation. 9:53 remaining
The Sixers have struggled to maintain any positive momentum this season given all of those adversities, and in many ways the loss to the Jazz felt like a microcosm of their season as a whole.
Granted, it didn't help that they shot 6-of-33 (18.2 percent) from three.
So long as they have Embiid, the Sixers are a threat. But their margin for error is razor-thin, especially while the Simmons ordeal remains unresolved. Against the league's top teams like the Jazz, that becomes more obvious.
Utah's Balance And Depth Continues To Be A Strength
Joe Ingles, Rudy Gay, Jordan Clarkson and Hassan Whiteside came off the bench and combined for 46 points. Utah held a 48-31 advantage in bench points. Four starters scored in double digits.
Thereās just nowhere to hide bad defenders against the Jazzā¦.
You don't need Mitchell to play like a superhero when the supporting cast shows up like that.
While the Sixers struggled to hit their perimeter shots, the Jazz finished 15-of-40 (37.5 percent) from deep. They played excellent team basketball, with 22 assists. This was quality, efficient basketball, the type coaches love.
The Jazz's lack of a second true superstar next to Mitchell tends to hurt them come the postseason. But there's no doubt that their depth and balance make them a threat to compete for the top seed yet again.
What's Next?
Utah travels to Washington, D.C., to face the Wizards on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, while the Sixers host the Golden State Warriors that same day at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
T-Wolves' Patrick Beverley, Anthony Edwards Slam Rudy Gobert's Defense After Loss
Dec 9, 2021
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 8: Patrick Beverley #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw during the game against the Utah Jazz on December 8, 2021 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz outscored the Minnesota Timberwolves by 31 points in the second half en route to a 136-104 road win on Wednesday.
After the game, Patrick Beverley and Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves provided takes on the defensive merits and reputation of Jazz center Rudy Gobert.
From Beverley, per T-Wolves beat writer Dane Moore:
If I'm Defensive Player of the Year, I'm always guarding the best player no matter what. I'm not roaming. It's no discredit to Royce O'Neale or any of the others on their team, but if I'm Defensive Player of the Year, I'm not guarding Royce O'Neale. I'm guarding Mike Conley, I'm guarding Donovan Mitchell, I'm guarding [Bojan} Bogdanovic. You got Rudy Gobert out there guarding [Jarred} Vanderbilt. And every time I hear he's Defensive Player of the Year. So, uh, whatever.
Chris Hine of the Star-Tribune provided Edwards' comments:
Anthony Edwards said the best rim protector in the league is Kristaps Porzingis. On Rudy Gobert, Ant was honest ...
'Anytime I go against Porzingis, I donāt get no layups. I donāt get why we couldnāt finish on Rudy Gobert. He donāt put no fear in my heart. I donāt know why."
Edwards and Beverley aren't the first players to criticize Gobert's defense in some way.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, who was the runner-up to Gobert for last year's Defensive Player of the Year award, touted his own defensive versatility while noting that the big man largely goes up against opponents his own size.
In a conversation with ESPN's Rachel Nichols, Simmons said Gobert is "great down there in the paint, but he's not guarding everybody."
"He guarded me in Utah. And I had 42. And apparently, I'm not a scorer, so it is what it is."
Simmons also doesn't have Gobert on his top-five defender list:
Ben Simmons doesnāt think Rudy Gobert is a top 5 defender
āI play ball, Iām looking at guys who can guard 1 through 5.ā (š„ @TheBallRealm )
On the flip side, Gobert is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner. He was also tied for the league lead with 1.7 defensive win shares entering Wednesday, per Basketball-Reference.
ESPN's Kirk Goldsberry showcased just how dominant Gobert was last season too:
Rudy Gobert's defense in one graph.
He led the league in contested shots this season, AND he also allowed the lowest efficiency in the NBA among 160 players who were the closest defender on at least 500 shots this season. pic.twitter.com/vcxTYocdeq
Jake Lee of Salt Lake City Hoops also wrote a lengthy breakdown of Gobert's defensive skills last May in which he offered cases dispelling notions that the big man can't defend on the perimeter and guard players one through five.
Regardless of how one feels on Gobert's defense, it wasn't the primary reason for Utah's dominant win Wednesday.
Ultimately, Minnesota's defense was problematic as the Jazz shot 56.8 percent from the field and made 25 three-pointers. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 36 points.
Jazz Governor Ryan Smith to Serve as Tony Finauās Caddie at 2021 Hero World Challenge
Dec 2, 2021
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith looks on before the start of their NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz governor Ryan Smith will serve as Tony Finau's caddie at the 2021 Hero World Challenge.
Finau said Smith serving as his caddie was a long time in the making.
"Ryan has been a good friend of mine," Finau told Rex Hoggard of Golf Channel. "I gave him a shout about six weeks ago and asked him if he would mind. He was more than happy to be here. He's been a great friend and a great mentor."
Finau was born and raised in Salt Lake City. Smith purchased the Jazz from the Miller family last December.
Jazz vs. Kings Game Delayed After Fan Vomits on Court in 4th Quarter
Nov 21, 2021
Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley, left, passes the ball around Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton, center, and center Richaun Holmes (22) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
The Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings game was temporarily delayed in the fourth quarter after a fan sitting courtside vomited onto the Golden 1 Center sideline.
Morgan Ragan of NBC Sports California provided video of the scene. It appears the Golden 1 Center DJ had a sense of humor about the situation, playing the Beatles' song "Help" as the clean-up took place.
Sean Cunningham of ABC10 Sacramento, James Ham of ESPN 1320, Sam Amick of The Athletic and Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune also provided more details.
Said fella just stumbled his ass to the back of the arena. Golden 1 Center just ran a notice on the big screen saying intoxicated patrons will be ejected. You can't make this up.
Like...a lot. That was utterly disgusting, and something I've never seen at an NBA game - especially courtside. Game is delayed, and the Kings immediately display the alcohol policy on the big screen. https://t.co/xQQgieSHGk
Quite the lengthy delay as this is cleaned up. Jazz still haven't approached the bench area. Every fan in that front row has been moved, and their items are being taken away too. Hassan Whiteside is covering his nose as Eric Paschall cracks up laughing.
Even Slamson the Lion, the Kings' mascot, got involved in the clean-up effort, per Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee:
Slamson is down there on his hands and knees with some towels, which he is now offering to throw into the crowd. No takers, though. https://t.co/BardKrK6RO
The game was delayed for over 15 minutes, per Jazz production manager Chris Pankonin.
Some players provided their reactions to the scene, including Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Kings forward Harrison Barnes:
Rudy Gobert, on if heād ever experienced that before: āNo, first time. Life is full of surprises. ā¦ I hope he was ok. I actually made eye contact with him. He was smiling. He was smiling and throwing up at the same time.ā
Utah ended up winning 123-105 to move to 11-5. The 6-11 Kings have lost three straight.
Bojan Bogdanovic Erupts for 27 as Jazz Crush Tobias Harris, 76ers
Nov 17, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - NOVEMBER 16: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz dribbles past Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 16, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz ended a two-game skid with a 120-85 win at home over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
Bojan Bogdanovic had 27 points to lead the way as six players scored in double figures for Utah, which entered the game with the fifth-ranked offense in the NBA. The Jazz improved to 9-5 with the victory.
The Sixers fell to 8-7 and have now lost five straight games. Shake Milton had a team-high 18 points. Philadelphia star center Joel Embiid missed his fifth consecutive game while he remains in the league's health and safety protocols.
Notable Player Stats
F Bojan Bogdanovic, UTAH: 27 points (9-of-12 FG)
G Jordan Clarkson, UTAH: 20 points (off bench)
C Rudy Gobert, UTAH: 15 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks
G Donovan Mitchell, UTAH: 13 points
G Shake Milton, PHI: 18 points
G Tyrese Maxey, PHI: 16 points
F Tobias Harris, PHI: 12 points
Jazz Take Advantage of Sixers' Lack of Rim Protection
With Embiid unavailable, the Jazz made a concerted effort to attack the rim. Utah was able to get inside seemingly at will, converting high-percentage shots at an efficient rate.
Whether it was Donovan Mitchell or Jordan Clarkson beating his defender off the dribble, or Gobert cutting to the basket, the Jazz lived inside the paint. Utah shot 25-of-45 (55.6 percent) from the field in the first half but also had 36 of their 63 points inside the paint and went 19-of-28 (67.8 percent) from inside the arc.
Gobert was a force all night and had a double-double within the early minutes of the third quarter. When he was off the floor, the Jazz didn't lose any size as he was replaced by Hassan Whiteside, who had 10 points and five rebounds off the bench.
The work Utah was doing inside helped open things up for the outside shot. After shooting 6-of-17 from beyond the arc in the first half, the Jazz went 7-of-12 from deep in the third quarter. Bogdanovic caught fire with 11 of his 27 points. Clarkson gave the Jazz a 31-point lead heading into the fourth.
Utah was able to empty its bench with over five minutes left in the game.
The Jazz had an aggressive game plan Tuesday, and it could be the team's recipe for success going forward. After finishing with the best record in the Western Conference last season, Utah has been off to a slow start this year.
If the Jazz can attack the basket the way they did against Philadelphia, it will open up more opportunities for their three-point shooters to get into a rhythm. A balanced offense could be the key to Utah returning to form.
Undersized Sixers Struggle on Both Ends
The Sixers were outmuscled by the Jazz on both offense and defense. Former All-Star center Andre Drummond was a non-factor, playing just 12 minutes as head coach Doc Rivers chose to go with a small-ball lineup.
Philadelphia struggled to get good shots while Gobert was patrolling the paint. The Utah big man had all four of his blocks in the first half alone.
Lack of bodies and size are hurting the Sixers, who trail 57-34 with 3:16 left in the half.
Rivers' strategy to go small might have worked if his players could get going behind the arc. It didn't help matters that the three-ball wasn't falling, as the Sixers went 4-of-17 (23.5 percent) from deep in the first half.
Seth Curry in particular looked like a shell of himself, starting the game 0-of-7 from the field. He scored his first points of the game on a three with 4:05 left in the third quarter.
Tobias Harris is still getting back into form after missing six games in health and safety protocols. Besides Milton, Tyrese Maxey was the team's only other bright spot, scoring in double figures for the 11th consecutive game.
The Sixers are in a rough stretch, and until they get back to full strength, it will be hard for things to turn around in Philadelphia.
This is the first time the Sixers got blown out since Joel Embiid left the lineup. Not totally unexpected. Problem is, they didn't close out any close games.
Remaining road trip schedule: Denver, Portland, Sacramento and Golden State. Looking like a super painful two weeks.
Philadelphia can only hope that Embiid is in All-Star form when he's ready to return to the court. Without him at his best, the team runs the risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
What's Next?
The Jazz will face the Toronto Raptors on Thursday in the final game of a five-game homestand. The Sixers will return to action Thursday against the Denver Nuggets in the third matchup of their six-game road trip.
Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Myles Turner, Joe Ingles Fined for Jazz-Pacers Scuffle
Nov 13, 2021
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, left, and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, right, get into a fight in the second half, resulting in ejections for both players, during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, forward Joe Ingles, guard Donovan Mitchell and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner have been fined following an altercation during Thursday's game at Vivint Arena, the NBA announced Friday.
Gobert was fined $35,000, Ingles $30,000, Turner $25,000 and Mitchell $20,000.
The altercation began when Turner blocked Gobert's shot with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of a 111-100 Pacers win. As Gobert fell to the court, he appeared to grab Turner's shorts, which caused him to fall.
Turner then chased down Gobert and shoved him, and he charged back at Turner. Members of both teams got involved as Gobert and Turner had to be separated.
Things got heated between Myles Turner and Rudy Gobert after Turner blocked Gobert's shot. pic.twitter.com/O34Z7gckwC
After officials reviewed the altercation, both Gobert and Turner received technical fouls and were ejected. Ingles, who appeared to shove an official during the altercation, and Mitchell, who also appeared to make contact with an official, were also tossed from the game.
Gobert addressed the situation after the loss, telling reporters: "Twenty years ago, they would let you fight a little more. I can't put myself in a position where I'm hurting my team. I've got more to lose. I've gotta stand up for myself, but I'm not going to get suspended."
Mitchell, however, expressed more frustration with the officials, telling reporters the referees should've taken control of the game earlier:
"That shouldn't have happened. It isn't nothing else, just built-up frustration. I'm not going to put the fact that we lost the game on this. ... That should have been taken care of in the first half. We're being held accountable for our actions, they've got to as well."
The incident occurred just two days after Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic was suspended for one game for "forcefully shoving" Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris on Monday. Morris also received a $50,000 fine.
Thursday's loss dropped the Jazz to 8-4 on the season, while the Pacers moved to 5-8.
