· Jazz scored 30 points in the first quarter for their first 30 point quarter of the year and lead afte the 1st quarter for the first time this season
· Jazz also lead at halftime. They broke 50 points in the 1st half for the first time this year
· This was all very impressive without Lauri Markkanen. Coming into the game the Jazz was 33 pts per 100 possessions worse when Lauri was on the floor
· Then it all came unglued. The Spurs set an NBA record with 9 steals in the third quarter. The Jazz were one short of the NBA record for turnovers in a quarter. It was a collective effort, but it was a really poor third quarter for Keyonte Geroge. This is the 2nd time in 5 games his third quarter was beyond peril. I am not sure what is causing this, but the other night against the Warriors he was disengaged to start the 3rd and this felt the same way.
· Will Hardy talked about Keyonte neeed to give himself some self compassion and be more gently on his own reaction toward himself. He may have done this because at what felt like the point of no return he made two terrific plays on a pass to the corner for a three and then he hit a three. It is a little victory after a stretch that let the game get away but it might turn out to be important
· Patty Mills had a wonderful stretch to close the first quarter when he hit three threes in a row and went on a 9-0 run all in front of the Spurs, his former team’s, bench.
· John Collins had a nice offensive game. Without Lauri the Jazz are desperate for his scoring and he did a nice job of being aggressive and getting the to basket.
· The Jazz offense is really struggling. The last two games they have only had 66 and 67 point thru 3 quarters. The offensive rating has been below 100 since opening night. Tonight’s was a 86.8 which without Lauri is not unexpected, but the league average is over 110 pts per 100 possessions
· Jazz offensive rating for the season is below 100 which I thought was going to be really uncommon after 5 games but it isn’t. Three teams have done sine 2021, most recently the 2022 Lakers. The Jazz offensive rating is below 95 and I believe the last team to do that is the Philadelphia 76ers in the midst of the process.
· The Jazz are shooting below 39% from the field. This has not happened to start a season since the 2017 Chicago Bulls and before that it was the 2011 Nets and the 201 Wolves.
· Kyle Filipowski got his first start without Lauri and had 12 points and 5 rebounds. Which is one of the better performances from anyone in this rookie class.
· Victor Wembanyama is incredible. He will be a top 5 player in the NBA and the only question is when. I suspect he will be the best player in the NBA the only question is when. His length is so incredibly disruptive. He reaches out and steals balls when the ball handler doesn’t even think he should be a threat. His offensive game is still raw and he doesn’t hold his ground but he had a 25 point 5 5 tonight. His plus minus dicated the game throughout the whole night. He finished +43
