As the regular season nears a close and the postseason becomes more of a certainty, the Utah Jazz know a significant weakness has become a strength in the past few games. Or, at least, less of a weakness.
There’s been concern about the bench as a whole. But, when the Jazz have needed it in the last week, it’s stepped up and played its best in big games. The bench did so in Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring a whopping 50 points. It did so last Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.
“I think the bench over the course of the season, like any bench, have had good stretches and bad stretches,” Utah coach Quin Snyder said. “I think if you look at the guys that are coming off the bench, it’s been new to them. You start going through it, and it takes time to develop a bench.”
Dante Exum’s emergence has helped. He’s given Utah’s second unit a dynamic presence it had previously lacked. Exum’s been able to collapse defenses off the dribble and get into the paint.
That’s allowed shooters like Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko more quality looks from the perimeter. Exum’s speed has given the Jazz more easy baskets in transition. And Utah’s bench has give the Jazz starting unit the luxury of more rest.
The Jazz have also staggered Joe Ingles with the second unit, giving the bench a glue presence at the start of the second and fourth quarters. So, when Exum has struggled getting the team into the offense, Ingles has been there as another primary ballhandler.
“There hasn’t been a plan with that group per se,” Snyder said. “We felt that bringing Joe in with that group has given it a good mix. We will keep tinkering with that. We just want it to be better.”
Sefolosha facing suspension
Injured Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha has been suspended for five games by the NBA for violation of the league’s anti-drug policy, the NBA announced Tuesday morning.
Since Sefolosha is injured, his suspension clock won’t start until next season. The forward has been out since January after having surgery on his meniscus.
Sefolosha was suspended, along with Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel, who will miss the final five games of the season. Noel will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
“Thabo has taken responsibility for the situation,” Snyder said. “I think at this point, we are just focused on our players.”
Sefolosha has been progressing since surgery. He’s been mobile, and has been traveling with the Jazz. He’s been in good spirits, and was on Utah’s most recent trip to Minnesota, where Utah defeated the Timberwolves.
“I would first like to apologize to the Utah Jazz organization, specifically to our great owners, management, coaching staff and my teammates,” Sefolosha said in a statement. “I would also like to apologize to the NBA and to the fans who have loyally supported me for the past 12 years. I’ve made errors in judgment, for which I take full responsibility.”
Missing in action
The Los Angeles Lakers played without two of their main cogs on Tuesday night. Lonzo Ball, the rookie point guard, sat out with knee soreness. Brandon Ingram didn’t make the trip. He is in concussion protocol. For the Jazz, Raul Neto remained out as he recovers from a fractured wrist.
