DeRozan’s Big Game, Lack Of Defense Results In Second Straight Loss For Jazz

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Jazz struggled on defense and allowed DeMar DeRozan to have a great game which resulted in a victory for the San Antonio Spurs and a second consecutive loss for Utah.

The Jazz fell to the Spurs 127-120 at AT&T Center on Wednesday, January 29.

Wednesday’s loss was the second straight loss by the Jazz after they fell 126-117 to the Houston Rockets on January 27. Previously, Utah had won 19 of its last 21 games.

This is first time since early December 2019 that Utah has suffered back-to-back losses. The Jazz recorded a three-game losing streak from December 1-4 with defeats to the Raptors, 76ers, and Lakers.

Final pic.twitter.com/WJygi0I5eq

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 30, 2020

Lack of Defense

After allowing San Antonio to shoot 64.3 percent from the field in the first half, the Jazz did little to slow down DeRozan and the Spurs in the second half.

San Antonio finished the game shooting 56.1 percent overall despite 25.8 percent shooting from three-point range.

Utah fouled the Spurs 27 times.

The Jazz recorded zero blocks in the loss.

DeRozan Damage

DeRozan led the Spurs with a game-high and a season-high 38 points on 11-19 field goals, primarily from the mid-range.

“Those are shots that I won’t say you want to allow but if they’re contested shots… we weren’t as aggressive contesting,” said Jazz head coach Quin Snyder during his postgame interview.

3️⃣5️⃣ points for @DeMar_DeRozan! pic.twitter.com/zySmpRHXWV

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020

The Spurs forward did not attempt a shot from behind the arc.

35-point games without attempting a three in the last 2 seasons:

DeMar Derozan — 6
Rest of NBA combined — 6 pic.twitter.com/J1jk3PVJNy

— StatMamba (@statmuse) January 30, 2020

DeRozan worked the whistles and went 16-19 from the free-throw line.

“He’s gonna hit some shots. He’s got size. He’s athletic. He can rise up. If we’re contesting those shots, he’s gonna hit some of them but we can’t foul,” continued Snyder.

He added 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the seven-point victory.

He posted a +10 plus-minus rating in 37 minutes of play.

Also, can't complain about Spurs being red hot from mid range.

DeMar DeRozan is the first guard since 1983 to average 20+ ppg and shoot better than 54% from the floor.

No secret this is who he was coming into the game.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 30, 2020

Jazz Offense

Overall, the Jazz didn’t struggle to put points up against the Spurs. Utah finished the game shooting 44 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from downtown.

Unfortunately, while mounting a late comeback attempt, the Jazz shot 0/7 from behind the arc in the fourth quarter.

Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 31 points on 9-20 field goals and 3-6 from three. He shot 10-10 from the foul stripe. He added 1 rebound, 4 assists, and a steal in 34 minutes.

Respect to a legend 👊@spidadmitchell x @spurs pic.twitter.com/2c27xgh1kZ

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 30, 2020

Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson poured in 20 points off the bench.

Jazz center Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 17 points and 19 rebounds.

Up Next

Gobert and Mitchell await potential NBA All-Star selections. The 2020 NBA All-Star Game reserves are announced on Thursday, January 30 during TNT NBA Tip-Off. Reserves for the game are voted on by head coaches.

The Jazz travel to the “Mile High City” to continue a three-game road trip. Utah tips off against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, January 30 at 8:30 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on TNT and 97.5 FM.