David Locke here, the host of the daily Locked On Jazz podcast, with your daily Locked On Jazz newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Jazz and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Locked On Jazz
Locked On Jazz
DOUBLE EMPTYING THE NOGGIN
SACRAMENTO
· This one was there for the taking. Kings without DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk playing their 6th game in 9 nights. The Kings were on empty and DeAaron Fox carried them to the win. One night after 60 he went for 49. He was really the only offensive option for the Kings and the Jazz were never able to slow him down.
· Jazz closed the game very poorly, They had some weird things and some poor plays. The weird things were Lauri Markkanen dropping a free throw rebound out of bounds and giving the ball back to the Kings. Collin Sexton falling to the ground on an inbound forcing the Jazz to take a timeout.
· Will Hardy drew up an awesome in bound play late in the game. The Jazz in bounded from the backcourt with John Collins in the front court on the near elbow and Lauri Markkanen in the far corner. The other two players were in the backcourt. The inbound came straight to John Collins who immediately spun to his right hand and went to the basket and he got caught too far underneath and the Jazz best rim finisher was too strong with the layup. Had the help come off Lauri in the corner then it was going to Lauri in the corner for the lead. Great play but just couldn’t convert.
· Jazz moved Keyonte off the ball for most of the 4th quarter. I think we are seeing more and more of this. Jazz need to figure out how to make Keyonte succeed and getting him off the ball might be the way to do it. He is shooting the ball much better recently.
· Jazz did a great job keeping the Kings out of transition. The Jazz are allowing the most transition of anyone in the NBA but tonight the Kings had the least transition of any team in the NBA. This could be they were tired and shorthanded, but give the Jazz some credit. That is three games in a row where they have brought the transition numbers way down. The Jazz have put a lot of focus on the first three steps going in both directions and the players are responding.
· Clarkson 1 for 6 and Sexton 1 for 4 in the 4th quarter while Lauri goes 1 for 1 is not ideal.
· 10-0 start from the Clippers. Jazz were on a back to back, 3rd game in 4 nights and didn’t come out with much juice. The Clippers hit them to a 10-0 start and lead the rest of the way. Clippers lead by 10 from the late 1st quarter all the way to about the 5 minute mark of the 4th quarter. This game was never close
· Filipowski missed a 3 on the opening possession and then the Jazz turned it over for three straight possession and it was 10-0. Jazz got it to three but then Keyonte and Clarkson turovers put the Jazz back down 9 and that was where it was most of the night.
· The break spot in this game was Isaiah Collier has great vision. He plays faster and he plays with the intention of passing. If you run the floor with Collier, he will reward you. Collier started the 2nd half in place of Keyonte George. Will Hardy said it was due to lack of defensive focus in te first half.
· The Kings didn’t guard Kyle Filipowski. This is the first time this has happened. They lagged off him and left the center at the restricted area. It seemed to unnerve Kyle and he went 0 for 4 from three. It also reduces some of his passing ability. He did a nice job of driving and attacking Zubak in the paint but not sure he can do that every play. He will have to make the shot over time.
· Jazz made a flurry late which is nice because it shows some pride and that they didn’t roll all night, it just would be better to play with that energy in the opening quarter rather than when down 20.
After historic back-to-back nights over the weekend I hope the Kings’ De’Aaron Fox is on your radar. Fox delivered a 60 point game against the Timberwolves on Friday (the Kings, after all that, could not wrestle away the win) and then 49 points against the Jazz in a winning game on Saturday. While these scoring numbers are certainly a touch more astronomical than Fox’s norm, he’s still an athlete who’s averaged 25 points per game in the last three seasons.
Beyond pure shooting, Fox is a pleasure to watch. I mean that in an artful sense, like taking your time in a gallery or museum and letting your eyes rove over every flourish and detail. Fox has a knack for hang time, able to lightly adjust his body mid-air to tweak the angle of his jumper just so. It’s a bane to defenders because it’s nearly impossible to pre-calculate where Fox will wind up releasing the ball, but it’s startling, and fun, to see.
His passing follows the same rules. Namely: his own. One hand flings and scoops to teammates running down the lane, or flashing out to the wing, dependent on the sort of timing it takes trust and seasons of practice to nail. It speaks to the cohesiveness of the Kings, a team many are still quick to dismiss from contention but who will prove a difficult team to match up against once their roster returns to full strength.
Cade Cunningham
Admittedly, I hadn’t been paying that close of attention to Cade Cunningham, even with my well documented dedication to the Detroit Pistons. I changed that last Friday when the team was in Toronto to face the Raptors, and I spent a good chunk of pregame warmups watching Cunningham run through his drills.
There’s a new level of patience to Cade, who’s been — by circumstance — forced into holding pattern since he entered the NBA. This new level filters through his game. There’s still the juddery, at times mesmerizing, stop-start motion of his handle and with it the ability to force the pace he wants in a game, but now Cade’s letting the game come to him. Where there simply isn’t time to draw out a possession, or altering one might upend his team’s momentum (momentum has been something Detroit is relying on this season, to their benefit), Cade instead adopts the rhythm of the floor in motion. Now into his forth season, his maturation is evident, and it’s winning games.
Jabari Smith
It’s felt a touch disingenuous, how down on Jabari Smith those in the wider sphere of the Houston Rockets have been this season. Yes, he’s had some slow shooting nights, and made some frustrating decisions, but he’s also come back in the games that follow those less than stellar performances and done all the right things — leading to wins.
Smith’s a third year player in the league on a franchise that only really started to get the foundation of their rebuild right last season. He’s learning to adjust to quicker pace, tighter and more effortful defence (the Rockets are the league’s best rebounders), and what it means to actually compete versus playing at the whims of a single game, on a game-to-game basis. There’s continuity showing here, and it’s great.
Smith tends to have his best rebounding games when he’s also scoring, which just tells me that energy generated on one end of the floor is essential for him at the other. It’s also true of younger players — and teams, like the Rockets — learning what it is to stay consistent through a game’s many tide-turns.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Biz Deep breaths. The NBA has settled its broadcast lawsuits, and “Inside the NBA” is here to stay. (Sportico)
Preview Major changes could soon be coming to the All-Star Game. (ESPN)
Analysis The “unicorn” era of Anthony Davis may be over, but could the “Lakers AD” era just be starting? (The Ringer)
Roster Coach Will Hardy emphasized that minutes are earned, not given, as Isaiah Collier replaced Keyonte George in the second half against the Clippers. This approach aims to boost competitiveness and accountability. (Deseret News)
Analysis Kyle Filipowski is emerging as a standout for the Jazz, showcasing his playmaking and defensive versatility. His development is a bright spot amid the team’s focus on nurturing young talent. (Deseret News)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Sunday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Roundup
Nov 17, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after being called for a foul against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images|Nick Wosika/Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
As we dive into the latest NBA action, it’s clear that Sunday was packed with intriguing performances and unexpected developments. With 10 games on the schedule, there was no shortage of excitement and fantasy implications to unpack.
Injury Updates and Opportunities
The Sacramento Kings are dealing with some significant injury news. Domantas Sabonis, usually a reliable presence, is doubtful with a back issue, potentially missing his second consecutive game. This opens up opportunities for players like Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles to step up. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan is officially out for his third consecutive game.
Key Performances and Fantasy Implications
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ victory over the Phoenix Suns highlighted some strategic missteps by the Suns. Starting Mason Plumlee and Jusuf Nurkic together against Minnesota’s big lineup didn’t pay off, with Nurkic playing only 14 minutes. His inconsistent performances make him a risky fantasy option, as his playing time and production fluctuate wildly.
On the Timberwolves’ side, Mike Conley’s increased minutes are worth noting. While his scoring was minimal, his contributions in other areas helped secure the win. Naz Reid, despite his scoring potential, continues to struggle defensively, which could limit his fantasy upside.
Click the button below to see why one of KD’s newest running mates could be worth a look, and how Charlotte’s injury concerns will affect your lineup.
POSTCAST - Hot three point shooting overwhelmed by Giannis and turnovers
The Utah Jazz’s offensive execution shines with red-hot three-point shooting, yet turnovers against the Milwaukee Bucks lead to a 123-100 defeat. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, and Ron Boone dissect the game, noting the Jazz’s impressive first-half performance with 28 three-point attempts, a franchise milestone. Keyonte George and Jordan Clarkson provided sparks off the bench, but Lauri Markkanen’s struggles were evident, possibly due to lingering back issues. The Bucks’ pressure defense and the Jazz’s ball movement were pivotal, yet the turnovers, especially from veterans John Collins and Jordan Clarkson, proved costly.
Cody Williams emerging for Utah Jazz. Offensive changes. Milwaukee Bucks preview
Will Hardy’s offensive changes are giving Cody Williams a chance to shine, transforming his role from a corner shooter to an active playmaker. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, breaks down Williams’ recent performance against Chicago, highlighting his strengths in movement and athleticism. With insights into the Jazz’s strategic adjustments, Locke explores how these changes are impacting the team’s dynamics and Williams’ development. Can Williams overcome his shooting struggles and become a key player for the Jazz?
Utah Jazz Squad - Utah Jazz Travelling Party talks hoops, stories, backpacks and laughs
Join David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, as he hosts a lively discussion with a star-studded lineup, including Craig Bolerjack, Ron Boone, Joe Krueger, Lauren Green, and Jeremy Brunner. The episode kicks off with a humorous debate over Chicago’s best deep-dish pizza, setting the stage for a dynamic conversation. The group shares insights on the Utah Jazz’s recent performance, highlighting standout players like John Collins and Walker Kessler. With a mix of basketball analysis and behind-the-scenes stories, the episode offers a unique glimpse into the world of NBA broadcasting.
