The Jazz announced Monday afternoon that Derrick Favors will miss Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks with left knee soreness.
Given Favors’ contributions this season (12 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Utah (40-30) doesn’t want to be without the 26-year-old forward. But it could open the door to experimentation in the starting lineup with a group that the numbers say is the best in Quin Snyder’s arsenal.
Since the Jazz traded for Jae Crowder on Feb. 8, he has not started a game. But the Jazz have effectively made him a closer, playing the power forward position alongside Rudy Gobert, Ricky Rubio, Joe Ingles and Donovan Mitchell. That lineup has only played 119 minutes together, but it leads the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions (76.4) and point differential per 100 possessions (41.8).
While it’s a small sample size, it has the makings of a dominating lineup — often termed a “death lineup” on other teams. Snyder typically shies away from explaining rotations and lineups, but even he acknowledged it’s been a helpful tool as the Jazz attempt to close games.
“Often times, when teams play smaller at the end of a game, they’re not necessarily playing matchup basketball, but it’s about being able to switch on the floor,” Snyder said. “Derrick can do that too, but every lineup has different strengths and weaknesses.”
It’s not coincidence that the Jazz, who are 13-2 since Crowder joined the team, also lead the league in defensive rating in the fourth quarter (91.2) in that stretch. Against the Sacramento Kings, all five players in the lineup finished plus-8 or better — the four other Jazzmen who played were at minus-15 or lower.
Don’t expect sweeping changes once Favors returns: He’s started all 66 games he’s been healthy to play. But playing with Crowder at the four has definitely been effective so far, and it’s something the Jazz are tracking — particularly since Crowder is under contract for two more seasons and Favors is a free agent this summer.
Exum back in the groove
It’s been more than a week since the Jazz had an off-day full practice. They did so Monday, marking the team’s first practice since Dante Exum was fully cleared.
In two games, the fourth-year point guard has managed 12 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds in 27 minutes. While he hasn’t been able to do everything in team practice before during the regular season, Snyder said there hasn’t been any kind of distinct adjustment to incorporate him.
“Dante’s integrated,” Snyder said. “We’re thinking about the team, to the extent that he’s part of the team. We’re doing nothing special for him. What’s special for him and all of our guys is to stay sharp and keep getting better.”
Nothing less than the best
The last loss the Jazz took to a lottery team was Jan. 22 when they played the Atlanta Hawks in a 104-90 defeat. Snyder said at the time that it appeared the Jazz lacked “a strong resolve or will.”
Since then, the Jazz are 21-2, losing only to playoff-bound Portland and Houston. The Hawks are 7-18, still in last place in the Eastern Conference. But Snyder, facing Mike Budenholzer whom he used to serve as an assistant, doesn’t expect any less of a game on Tuesday night.
“We expect the same effort from them — Bud’s a great coach,” Snyder said. “They’re going to move the ball and play defense, and we’ve got to be ready to go, and we have to play well.”
