Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert shut down Blazers – BasketUSA

Utah sometimes struggles to find its balance between the temptation of exterior shots and the importance of an interior presence but, last night, the Jazz managed to stabilize this alternation, symbolized by Donovan Mitchell’s 30 points, and a new double-double for Rudy Gobert (21 points, 16 rebounds).

In control from a record 3rd quarter-time of the season, at 41 points, Utah managed to control the timid attempts to return the Blazers led by Anfernee Simons (24 points) and Jusuf Nurkic (24 points, 10 rebounds). With Jordan Clarkson who brings 22 points off the bench and a Lillard – McCollum duo who still tore on shots, Portland lost for the 10th time in 11 away games (129-107).

WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER

– The Jazz Passing Game. This has been one of Quin Snyder’s leitmotifs since his arrival in Utah and, last night, his team was in tune. With quick and sharp passes that rocketed from all sides, the Jazz easily made the Blazers’ (crumbly) defense lose their minds. Rip City quickly got dizzy while opposite, Utah found this altruistic and collective identity that must be its DNA if it is to go far in the playoffs. “Our guys were selfless and gave each other passes when needed. When we rule out the game and take shots, all of a sudden, there are a lot of corridors towards the circle that also open up ”, said Quin Snyder.

– Portland cracks back from the locker room. It was on a 16-3 coming back from the locker room, well driven by Ingles both on shots (with two 3-points in a row) and on creation (for Rudy Gobert in particular on the pick & roll) and the Jazz made the difference. If the Blazers managed to close the gap in the fourth quarter, thanks to Simons and Nurkic, Utah will never be really joined, or even worried as Mitchell calmly finished the job.

– The Blazers still so bad on the outside. The results are edifying: 1-10. On the move, Portland still can not do violence and tighten the screw defensively. This recurring problem becomes maddening for Chauncey Billups: “We’re such a different team on the road. We play with this nonchalance very often, without any sense of urgency. It’s dangerous. We can do that at home because the public can allow you to reverse some badly started situations. But it is impossible outside. “

TOPS / FLOPS

✅ Rudy Gobert. With 21 points and 16 rebounds, he added another double-double to his record for the season. At 9/11 on shots, the Olympic silver medalist was again impeccable under the circle for the Jazz. After two short games against the Pelicans, Rudy Gobert found some balls and improved them.

✅ Donovan mitchell. “Spida” was having a good night. From one game to another, we know that Donovan Mitchell will have ammunition to score, but you never know if he will have set the sights properly. This was the case last night with a solid 12/20 on shots for 30 points, plus 5 assists and 4 steals. On one of them, the former winner of the dunk competition had fun.

✅ Anfernee Simons. Besides Jusuf Nurkic, this is the only good news of the evening for Portland. Already very good against Golden State, with 19 points at 7/13, he again delivered an almost flawless score off the bench, with 24 points in 29 minutes, all at 10/15 on shots including 4/7 to 3 -points.

⛔ Damian lillard. The galley season continues for Damian Lillard. In a false rhythm since the beginning of the year, and his return from the Olympic Games already very complicated, “Lady” is only a shadow of himself. Last night again, he missed out with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, on a small 4/12 on shots. He is at 16/45 on shots in his last three games …

⛔ CJ McCollum. Like his sidekick of the back lines, CJ McCollum was not successful against the Jazz last night. In fact, this is the third game in a row where he cannot be productive on his first quality: scoring. Damian Lillard’s lieutenant finished well with 19 points and 6 assists but, like his technical fault in the 3rd quarter, frustration is mounting …

THE FOLLOWING

Portland (10-11) : The Blazers return home to receive the Pistons tonight (04:00).

Utah (14-7) : two days of rest for Jazz before the Celtics reception on the night from Friday to Saturday (04:00).