In the midst of a four-game winning streak, there’s no doubt that the Utah Jazz are no joke. For the third straight week of the season, Utah has not sustained multiple losses, and this continued winning has awarded them a full-game lead in the Western Conference standings.

Despite the expectation of a lost season by NBA analysts and Jazz fans alike, the team has proved the doubters wrong and is showing the league that maybe they can contend for a championship this season, even without a bonafide superstar. A 10-3 start certainly will have the fans in Utah excited for the remainder of the season. 

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Not a fluke

While some analysts and fans may jump to say that the Jazz’s hot start is purely a fluke, plenty of statistics counter that argument, primarily, who the Jazz have played.

Throughout their 11-game season, the Jazz have played eight games against teams who are over .500, good for second most in the league. The team with the most games played against winning teams? The 2-10 Houston Rockets. In those games against teams with winning records, the Jazz are 6-2, which not only gives them the most wins against those teams but also gives them the highest winning percentage against them; 75% for Utah, 66% for the next highest team (Phoenix and Toronto). In fact, only five teams in the NBA, including Utah, are above .500 against teams with winning records. 

Not only do the Jazz win games against good teams, but they also win close games. Currently 2-0 in overtime games and 2-1 in one-score games, Utah has shown so far that they can close teams out. Additionally, the team’s offense is currently the best scoring offense in the league – averaging 118.8 points per game –  and they also have the fourth-highest point differential in the NBA.

Standout players

Over the last week, Lauri Markkanen and Mike Conley have continued to shine. Markkanen continues to lead the team in scoring (21.9) and rebounds (8.8), while Conley continues to lead the team in assists (7.5).

Also of note, Kelly Olynyk’s 58.8% clip from three leads all players shooting over two 3- pointers per game, and Walker Kessler’s 1.6 blocks per game leads all rookies, an astounding feat considering he is only playing 14.5 minutes per game. Additionally, over the last week, Markkanen (22.8 PPG) and Conley (9.5 APG) have been putting up improved numbers over their season averages.

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Game reviews

November 2 – @ Dallas

In one of Utah’s toughest-fought losses this season, the Jazz fell one missed Jordan Clarkson three-pointer short of forcing their third overtime game of the season.

Despite falling 103-100, Utah put up a very dominant showing. Outscoring Dallas 35-23 in the first quarter, Utah got off to a hot start, even if they couldn’t finish.

Clarkson (22 points, 8 assists) led the charge for Utah while Luka Doncic (33 points, 11 assists) and Christian Wood (21 points, 10 rebounds) put out a strong showing for Dallas. 

The Jazz face Dallas next in Utah on January 28.

November 4 – @ LA Lakers

In the first game of a 3-game Los Angeles series, the Jazz waltzed into Crypto.com Arena and showed the Lakers who should truly be feared in the Western Conference. 

Holding the lead for the entirety of the second half, Utah dominated LeBron James and the Lakers. Winning 130-116, Utah started their West Coast tour with a big win against a struggling Lakers team.

Lauri Markkanen (27 points, 13 rebounds) and Mike Conley (15 points, 10 assists) led Utah to victory, as LeBron James (17 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists) put out a valiant effort for LA.

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November 6 – @ LA Clippers

At the end of their 3-game road trip, the Jazz aimed to head back to Salt Lake with a winning record on the road. 

Beating LA 110-102, Utah was able to do that, coming out of their road trip with a 4-3 overall away record, as they began their season series with the Clippers 1-0.

Jordan Clarkson (23 points, 5 assists) and Collin Sexton (22 points) carried Utah, while Paul George (34 points, 8 rebounds) led the way for the Clippers in the loss.

Utah plays the Clippers next on November 21 in Utah in a matchup that will be aired on NBA TV.

November 7 – vs. LA Lakers

At the end of a three-game stretch against Los Angeles-based teams, Utah grew their win total to three against the City of Angels as they scored astronomical numbers against the Lakers once again.

Winning 139-116, Utah kept the ball moving against LA while on their home court, out-assisting the Lakers 30-15 while also shooting 42 percent from three.

Utah had seven players score in double figures in the game, led by Lauri Markkanen (23) and Jordan Clarkson (22). Talen Horton-Tucker put up a strong showing against his old team, scoring 15 points, snagging three steals, and putting Damian Jones on a mean poster as a finishing touch.

Utah hosts the Lakers next on April 4, giving both squads plenty of time to prepare for a rematch.

November 9 – @ Atlanta

In Utah’s first game against an Eastern Conference team, The Jazz traveled to Atlanta and beat the Hawks on the wings of a dominant 40-point fourth quarter. Both teams held double-digit leads throughout the game (Utah 15, Atlanta 10) but Utah ended up coming out on top.

Winning 125-119, Utah scored at least 125 points for the third time in four games while winning for the fourth straight time overall, their longest streak of the young season. Outshooting Atlanta from three – 43.6 percent to 28.6 percent – the deep ball gave Utah a strong advantage throughout the game.

For the seventh time in nine games, Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz in scoring, tallying a season-high 32 points. Mike Conley’s 13 assists were also good for the team’s season-best mark, the third time in four games that Conley passed the 10-assist mark. Dejounte Murray (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) and Trae Young (22 points, 9 assists) ran the show for Atlanta.

Utah plays the Hawks for the second and final time on February 3 in Utah.

Up next

Utah has a slow week ahead, only playing three games throughout the next week.

Staying on the East coast, the Jazz play games at Washington (5-6) on Saturday, Nov. 12, and Philadelphia (5-6) on Sunday, Nov. 13. They’ll then return to Utah to face the Knicks (5-6) on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

It is not completely unreasonable for Jazz fans to expect Utah to hold a 13-3 record come next Wednesday.

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All stats are via ESPN and are accurate as of Nov. 9, 2022.

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