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
EMPTYING THE NOGGIN - Collier Career Night. Better margins in Phoenix
• Double weekend edition, loss in Phoenix game winner at home v. Brooklyn
• Phoenix was an interesting game since the Jazz who have been on the losing side of the possession battle with regularity won the possession battle. The Jazz had 21 offensive rebounds and only 13 turnovers whereas the Suns had 12 offensive rebounds and 11 turnovers. The Jazz have been on the wrong side of this all year and weren’t in phoenix.
• The Jazz shot 9 of 42 from three.
• While the Jazz never threatened to win they were around all night. I think this is a bit of an indictment of where the Phoenix Suns are and how their roster is performing. This games feels like the Suns should have been in complete control all night and they weren’t. I am not sure what is missing, but something about this roster is not working. It might be an indictment on having too much of a top heavy roster.
• Suns offensive rating was a 125 so not a great defensive night for the Jazz.
• Cody Wiliams had a career high 13 points playing back at home.
• Collin Sexton is not starting games well. Was 0 for 6 to start tonight.
• Grayson Allen hit three threes in the 4th and that was the separation the Suns needed.
• TO SUNDAY - Jazz were without Keyonte George, Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, John Collins and Walker Kessler. That is a good starting 5. Nets were shorthanded as well. Only 3 established NBA rotation players were playing in this game, Collin Sexton, Ben Simmons and Nick Claxton.
• Isaiah Collier was the star of the game including a game winning layup when he remarkably split a double team with a long dribble ran it down and made the layup. 23 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Collier never looked out of place. He is developing a confidence and a swagger when he is playing well.
• Collier hit some outside shots tonight which has not done this season. His shot looks a little better when it comes off the bounce in a rhythm than as a catch and shoot.
• Kyle Filipowski hit three threes in this game. He hit two from the corner and then added one above the break. He has not been making the above the break three.
• The Jazz took advantage of the Brooklyn defensive style to get 18 corners 3. Despite missing a ton of guys the Jazz had a good halfcourt game.
• Will Hardy is having his guys attack more in isolation and it is yielding good results.
• Jazz only turned it over 11% of their possession. Two nights in a row with good ball security.
• This was a really slow paced game. Only 100 possessions in an overtime game. It was not a great offensive game overall for either team.
• Jazz offensive rebounding was not a factor without Walker Kessler.
• Jazz ran their Lauir Markkanen go to play for Brice Sensabaugh late and he buried the 3 on the play. Really cool. It’s a slip screen to a flair out and it is hard to get your feet set and get the shot off in time and this is a really good example of the work Brice put in the off-season to improve his footwork on his shot.
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
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
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Watch Isaiah Collier’s game-winner against the Nets was a thrilling moment for the Utah Jazz. Watch Collier’s clutch shot and experience the excitement firsthand. (SLC Dunk)
Trade The Jazz are suggested to propose a trade involving a potential swap. Check out the detailed analysis of trade proposals for all NBA teams. (Bleacher Report)
Rumor With the trade deadline approaching, several players are considered overrated trade targets. Discover who might not be worth the hype in this intriguing analysis. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
Isaiah Collier’s career night and Will Hardy on the importance of wins
Isaiah Collier’s breakout performance and game-winning shot for the Utah Jazz take center stage in this episode. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, analyzes Collier’s impressive 23-point, 7-rebound, 7-assist night against the Brooklyn Nets. The rookie’s development, particularly his improved shooting and growing confidence, is dissected alongside the broader context of the Jazz’s current roster composition and competitive landscape.
POSTCAST - Isaiah Collier game winner gives Utah Jazz win over Brooklyn Nets
Isaiah Collier shines as the Utah Jazz edge out the Brooklyn Nets 112-111 in overtime. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, and Ron Boone break down the young guard’s game-winning play and overall performance. Collier’s speed, strength, and swagger are on full display as he overcomes late-game mistakes to secure the victory.
POSTCAST - Utah Jazz’s Offensive Rebound Dominance Shines Against Suns
