The Utah Jazz’s eight-man skeleton crew space walked to another important loss, falling to Houston 106-140 on Friday night. It’s the latest stage in the team’s moon shoot to mediocrity, losing 12 out of the last 13 games, as it navigates a tricky trajectory between competing and not winning. With a Kings loss tonight, the Jazz and Sacramento will have identical records (21-57) as each team races to plant its flag on the fourth worst record in the league. For the Jazz it’s a vital effort as they try
to secure the best odds possible in the upcoming lottery, hopefully landing a star who will help them re-enter the atmosphere next season as a playoff contender. As a fan, there are times when you can’t help but cheer on the grit and fight of the group of largely second- and third-unit players who are steering the team through the last games of the season. But there are other times (tonight is one example) when you have to remind yourself that in space no one can hear you scream.
Kyle Filipowski – B+
Kyle’s decisiveness in driving to the basket was on display tonight, including a couple of spin moves in the paint which left the defender in a whirl. He had the highlight of the night, defying gravity to pass the ball off the glass to himself in midair for a dunk. His three-point shot was off tonight, going 0-4, but he was active on the boards, grabbing 7 rebounds to go along with his 17 points. Like most of the team, he struggled to contain Durant and Sengun without fouling and ended up fouling out in the 4th Quarter.
Ace Bailey – B
Ace had a hard time getting into a rhythm in the first half, starting the game with a travel, a missed jumper and a turnover and picking up two early fouls. He made some adjustments at half-time and ended the game with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and a block. It wasn’t his best shooting night from three, going 2-8, but his mid-range game continues to impress as he skillfully finds his spot within the arc.
Brice Sensabaugh – B+
Brice continues to play with an edge, using his 235 lb frame to battle in the paint and scrap for loose balls. He also showed his playmaking ability, doling out a team high 5 assists, including a 2nd Quarter steal and pass to Ace for three. The development of his mid-range game and drives to the basket show the work he’s put in to expand his offensive skills. He finished the game with 20 points, 3 rebounds and a block, but also had a team high 6 turnovers.
Cody Williams – A
Cody’s impact on the game is light years from where it was at the beginning of this season. He recorded a double double tonight, leading the team with 27 points and 11 rebounds. He was particularly active on the offensive glass, snagging 5 offensive rebounds. His confidence in his mid-range game and in driving to the basket is at an all-time high. In the 1st quarter he even pulled off a Kareem-like hook shot. Once he adds a consistent three- pointer, he will be a tough player to defend.
John Konchar – C+
A rough shooting night for John, going 1-7 from the field and 1-4 from three-point territory. He was his usual scrappy self on defense, grabbing 2 offensive rebounds, creating 2 steals and blocking a shot. He also showed off his playmaking skills, dishing out 3 assists, including a no look pass to Cody for a basket in the third quarter. But his struggles in scoring hurt the Jazz in trying to compete with a red-hot Rockets squad.
Kennedy Chandler – C-
As the only true point guard in the rotation, Kennedy had an opportunity to display the ball-handling and scoring skills that have earned him a second 10 day contract. Unfortunately, it was not his night as he struggled mightily from the field, going 1-9 for 2 points and sitting on the bench the entire 3rd Quarter.
Oscar Tshiebwe – A-
Short of growing a few inches, it’s hard to see what else Oscar can do to avoid being sucked into the gravitational pull of another long stint in the G League. His scoring is much improved (15 points tonight to go along with 10 rebounds) and he vacuums up offensive rebounds like an overcharged Roomba. His effort is never in question, running the length of the floor to put home a lob from Kennedy in the 4th Quarter. His one weakness is being overpowered and outmaneuvered by bigger, stronger players and he faced one of the best tonight in Sengun.
Bez Mbeng – C-
Bez must feel like he’s still floating in zero gravity after being signed to a 2 year contract by the Jazz earlier this week. Unfortunately, the offensive onslaught from the Rockets quickly brought him back to earth. The defensive effort was certainly there—he recorded 2 steals and a block—but like the rest of his teammates, he had no answers for Sengun, Durant and company, who swarmed the court like a Klingon war party. To make matters worse, Bez was 0-4 from the field, on a night when the Jazz needed all the scoring they could get.
