Opponent Scouting: Utah Jazz (17-16)
Tonight at 7:00pm EST the Detroit Pistons will be hosting the Utah Jazz at the LCA in Detroit. The Pistons are on one day of rest after losing to the Nets while the Jazz are on the second night of a back to back after losing to the Cavaliers. This is also the Jazz 3rd game in 4 nights.
The Them:
The Jazz are one of the feel good stories of the young season. A team widely predicted to be among the league’s worst has been anything but. Perhaps most impressive is that after starting off 10-3 they went on a rough stretch where they won just two of 10 but have since stabilized. They enter tonights contest with the league’s 4th best offense, scoring 115.7 points per 100 possessions, and the 25th ranked defense by allowing 114.1 points per 100 possessions.
Lauri Markkanen has made good on some of the promise showed in the opening moments of his career and is genuinely deserving all-star and even all-NBA buzz. He’s averaging 22.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 53% from the field and 42% from deep which is good for a TS% of 65.7% which is absurd.
Jordan Clarkson is a walking bucket who’s averaging 20 points per game and continues to show improved playmaking abilities. Mike Conley is a far cry from what he once was, but he’s still dishing 7.4 assists against just 1.4 turnovers per game and can still get to his spots when he needs to. Pistons legend Kelly Olynyck didn’t play last night but he’s been shooting exceptionally well and generally been the guy the Pistons wish he had been last year. Malike Beasey can score in bunches as a guy who shoots a ton of threes and hits nearly 40% of them. Jarred Vanderbilt is a tough defender.
Rudy Gay is old but can still be a matchup problem, Talen Horton-Tucker can score in the right positions. This team is just an island of misfit toys that are seemingly all playing above their head which is precisely why it is so much fun. They don’t play much defense but they score in bunches.
Matchups to watch:
Bojan vs. Markkanen: This won’t be a 1 for 1 matchup but they will spend time on one another. Their numbers are errily similar as well. Both guys are big and can score in bunches while both also can struggle to defend. Holding down Markkanen defensively (which will also be a task for Stewart) is huge to containing this team.
Pistons vs. Finding offensive rhythm: As indicated by their defensive ranking, this is a team you can score on. As long last the Pistons can find their stride to at least some degree they will be capable of putting some positive offensive possessions together.
Jalen Duren vs. Asserting himself inside: Part of the reason for the JAzz poor defensive abilities is they are pretty soft inside. Duren should be the most physical player on the floor the entire night which is an edge the Pistons likely need to capitalize on. Speaking of which.
Ivey vs. Attack attack attack: Without any fearsome rim protection Ivey should be able to finish when he gets to the paint. No excuse to be settling for jumpers tonight.
Killian vs. Clarkson: I should hope that the Pistons sic Killian Hayes on Clarkson defensively. Clarkson is good but he isn’t the type of good to just toss up your hands about. A good opportunity for Hayes to prove his worth defensively.
So in conclusion…
Run for the hills if:
The Jazz are raining threes over the Pistons defense
Ivey is settling for jumpers
Markkanen is going by the Pistons bigs and easily shooting over everyone else
Wink knowingly at your friends if:
The Pistons are working the Jazz inside
Killian is locking down Clarkson
The Pistons bench is dominating
Opportunities for me to look stupid:
Hayes has a great game on both ends
Bojan revenge game
The Pistons have no answer for Markkanen
Pistons 132 - Jazz 124.