Scouting the Jazz: Difficult task for Jazz to slow down hot Spurs

It’s Easter Sunday as the hottest team in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs (39-14), return to action tonight as they host the visiting Utah Jazz.

The Spurs are on fire at the right time as they’re averaging 113 points during their last six games, as they’re currently the number one seed in the Western Conference, have clinched a playoff position, and are on their second 10-game winning streak this season.

The Jazz are coming off a win at home, as they’re one game behind the Denver Nuggets (30-26) for the eighth seed in the Western Conference race. The Jazz are currently playing .500 basketball in their last 10 games, as they haven’t defeated one team that is better than .500 in their last 10 games.

Case No. 54: Utah Jazz (29-27)

• Road record: 9-19

The King

• Al Jefferson – 19.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 17.4 FGA (50%), 3.1 FTA (78%), vs. Spurs: 20.5 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 53% shooting

The Knights

• Paul Millsap – 16.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 13.3 FGA (51%), 3.7 FTA (81%), vs. Spurs: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 42% shooting
• Gordon Hayward – 11.2 points, 8.7 FGA (45%), 3.4 FTA (82%), vs. Spurs: 6 points, 25% shooting
• Devin Harris – 10.5 points, 4.9 assists, 1 steals, 7.9 FGA (45%), 3 FTA (77%), vs. Spurs: 11.5 points, 3.5 assists, 50% shooting

The Bishops

• C.J. Miles – 9.1 points, 8.3 FGA (38%), vs. Spurs: 10 points, 41% shooting
• Josh Howard – Out
• Derrick Favors – 8.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.8 FGA (48%), vs. Spurs: 6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 33% shooting

The Pawns

• Alec Burks – 7 points, 6 FGA (43%), vs. Spurs: 5.5 points, 63% shooting
• Raja Bell – Out

Offense vs. Offense

• 1. Points: Spurs (102.1) – Jazz (99.1) = Spurs
• 2. Assists: Spurs (22.8) – Jazz (21.8) = Spurs
• 3. Shooting percentage: Spurs (47%) – Jazz (45.6%) = Spurs
• 4. Three point shooting percentage: Spurs (39%) – Jazz (31%) = Spurs
• 5. Free throw attempts: Spurs (21.2) – Jazz (25) = Jazz
• 6. Turnovers: Spurs (12.9) – Jazz (13.6) = Spurs

Offensive Leader: Spurs 5-1

Defense vs. Defense

• 1. Opponent scoring: Spurs (96.3) – Jazz (99.1) = Spurs
• 2. Opponent shooting: Spurs (46%) – Jazz (46%) = Tie
• 3. Rebounds: Spurs (42.7) – Jazz (43.8) = Jazz
• 4. Personal Fouls: Spurs (17.1) – Jazz (22) = Spurs

Defensive Leader: Spurs 2-1

Game Expectation

Aside from Jefferson, the Spurs should be able to contain the rest of the Jazz’ players from exploding for a big night. The Jazz on the other hand don’t have enough ammunition offensively to keep up with the Spurs’ offensive attack.

This Spurs team is clicking on all sorts of cylinders right now offensively, and though they possess a mediocre defense, there are stretches where the defense can create turnovers and turn those plays into run-building offensive points.

Depth, which has gotten the Spurs to a 10-game winning streak, should be the reason the winning streak continues so long as the Spurs continue to share the ball, take care of the ball, and limit those Jazz players outside of Jefferson from having a big night.

If the Spurs follow their routine they’ve constructed once again, it should be another double-digit lead going into the fourth quarter with the starters resting for the trip to Utah on Monday.