Late free-throw misses, loose balls hurt Jazz in Grizzlies loss


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SALT LAKE CITY — Learning situations are what Jazz coach Quin Snyder wants for his team this season, and star forward Gordon Hayward got just that opportunity Friday against Memphis.

Down a point against a top-rated Western Conference opponent, Hayward had a chance to hit three free throws to send the game into overtime. After sinking the first two, the last free throw bounced off the back iron, giving the Jazz a bitter taste as they trudged into the locker room.

The results weren’t what Jazz coach Quin Snyder wanted, but the scenario played out just as the coach would have hoped — a chance for Utah’s franchise player to take meaningful shots against a playoff contender late in the season.

Entering a Friday home matchup with the Grizzlies, Utah had gone 2-1 against the Grizzlies, with both teams winning on the other’s home court. Memphis wasn’t at full-strength in either road game, which Snyder was quick to remind the media of, while the Grizzlies defeated Utah in Salt Lake in one of Enes Kanter’s final games with the Jazz.

However, the Grizzlies entered Salt Lake City in top-shape, shaping up for a playoff run. With all their stars available, Memphis stayed on top, with the Grizzlies picking up a narrow 89-88 win over the Jazz.

In a theme that would appear over the course of the night, neither team was able to get much separation, with the teams tied 49-49 at halftime after the Jazz closed the first half on a 19-10 run.

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Memphis held a 73-72 lead at the end of the third quarter, before the Jazz opened the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run — taking an 82-73 lead with 8:35 left.

With the Jazz trailing 89-86 with 1.2 seconds left, Utah threw the ball to Hayward, who was fouled by Marc Gasol. Unlike a similar play in a recent game against Phoenix where Rodney Hood didn’t get the foul call, Hayward had three free throws with a chance to send the game to overtime.

“I just missed the free throw; that’s it,” Hayward said. “Of course there is pressure, it’s to tie the game and send it to overtime. I just missed it.”

Hayward had a solid game, finishing with 27 points. After scoring only four points in 20 minutes Wednesday against Sacramento, there were comments about whether or not Hayward’s minutes would be limited for the rest of the season. Consider that question answered, as Hayward played 38:19 minutes in the loss.

Snyder said it was a good bounce-back performance for him.

“I thought he played great,” he said. “I thought he played great defensively; he had different matchups. There really wasn’t anything he didn’t do offensively.

“When he comes out in the game early and is aggressive, I really like that. Even if he misses a few, because I feel like eventually he gets there. “

While the free-throw miss was the final play, the Grizzlies’ 16-7 run down the stretch decided the game. Snyder said the final minutes were a case of Memphis executing better down the stretch.

“The game was about the last five minutes — our transition defense, loose balls and offensive rebounds,” he said. “We just gave them extra possessions; it was that simple. That puts more pressure on our offense too, we were playing good defense. That part was unfortunate.”

One of the night’s premiere matchups came between the centers, Gasol and Rudy Gobert. Gasol finished with 22 points, while Gobert countered with 14 points, 14 rebounds and several salutes.

Defense is what the Frenchman prides himself on, and Gobert said guarding Gasol is one of the toughest matchups he faces.

“He’s a very smart player, and I just try and make his life a little bit more difficult,” he said. “(Gasol) just made some tough shots in the end.”


"I just missed the free throw; that's it," Gordon Hayward said, referring to the missed free throw at the end of the game. "Of course there is pressure, it's to tie the game and send it to overtime. I just missed it."

With Trey Burke missing the game because of a sore lower back, Utah played Bryce Cotton extended minutes in the first half. Snyder has stressed growing moments for players and wanting to see how players handle moments.

Cotton finished with 11 points — something Snyder was pleased with.

“He’s a really good shooter,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence in him doing that, and obviously I thought his buckets were opportune when he got them. We had a good stretch of pick-and-roll and transition, and he was a big part of the reason.”

With the win, the Grizzlies have a one-and-a-half game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the second seed in the Western Conference. Memphis has made the playoffs four consecutive seasons, and in the process has developed a reputation as a defensive squad — a reputation Snyder wants Utah to have around the league.

“I really respect what they’ve done and the toughness that their team has,” he said. “The way that they’ve developed as a team, I think, with an identity, first a defensive identity, a toughness — we’re not exactly the same, but I think some of the size that we have, I’d like to see us certainly evolve into them. That would be pretty good.”

Memphis was just as complimentary of the Jazz organization, with Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger praising Utah’s future in his comments on the game.

“They’ve been a tough opponent for us all year, and I think without a doubt, with the talent they have, they’ll be in the playoffs next year,” he said. “So, they’ve done a great job; Quin’s done a great job with that team. They’ve bought in; they’re long as heck. (I) love, love, love Rodney Hood. I think he’s going to be a very good player in this league.”

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