The biggest challenge when attempting to slow down the Utah Jazz offence is simply the number of ways they can sting you.
Sure, Donovan Mitchell is the rising superstar and head of the snake, but it's the incredible depth and lethal shooting that sets the Jazz apart.
That balanced scoring attack went to work again in Game 2, with the ball in constant motion as Quin Snyder's men look to make a good shot a great shot.
Five players finished in double digits for Utah in the 117-111 win, led by Mitchell's 37. Overall, the Jazz knocked down 20 triples, a number that has become comically regular for the hottest shooting team in the league.
20 threes tonight. This place was on fire.#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/MbewzUoJhT
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 11, 2021
After some early struggles in the playoffs, key duo Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson found their groove, combining for 43 points on 10-for-16 shooting from beyond the arc.
"I've been answering a lot of questions about Joe and JC," Snyder said.
"I think their play reinforced who they are, not that anybody needed to know that, they didn't have to prove anything. It wasn't just what showed up on the box score. I thought Joe played with tremendous poise and confidence. JC, when he's come in the game he's able to make plays and hit shots that are usually momentum shots. It seems every time we need a bucket he's able to generate something. I'd like to see us keep moving the ball more, I think that's crucial for us no matter who is creating, but both Joe and JC played a huge role tonight."
It was Ingles who delivered the back-breaking blow, burying a triple with 3:07 to play that gave Utah a 113-103 lead.
"That's what we've been doing all year and I think Donovan understands how to pick his spots. We all have confidence in those other guys shooting the ball. Guys trust each other and play for each other, it doesn't matter who is on the back end of those possessions, our guys have confidence that those shots are going to get taken and we are going to make more than we miss."
Taking turns down the stretch, Mitchell and Ingles shared ball-handling responsibility in crucial moments.
"The beauty of our team is that we have a lot of guys who can handle the ball and make plays and shots. Just reading the situation, reading the play, the matchups we want to find and then being aggressive at the point of it," Ingles explained.
Back in the starting lineup in the absence of Mike Conley Jr., Ingles joked about the possibility of returning to the bench when the starting point guard recovers from a hamstring injury.
📹| @joeingles7 ⤵️
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 11, 2021
19p | 4r | 4a | 4 3pm | 1s pic.twitter.com/BtNnVup2ZM
"I'm going to stand my ground and refuse to go back to the bench," Ingles said with a smile.
"It's what we've done all year, we've obviously had different guys out at different times. I'm more than happy to go back to the bench for a guy like that, it's what I've done all year, I've been in and out of the starting lineup a little bit, I'm almost use to it. When he comes back I'll more than happily leave my jacket on for the first few minutes and give him a hand shake and support him."
Overall, the win felt like a typical Utah outing. Death by 1000 cuts for the opposition with weapons all around the perimeter, which is exactly how the Jazz like it.
"I think our identity has grown throughout the season," Snyder said. "There was a seed planted last spring and the way that our team has come together. You create and identity by doing something over and over and over again and that takes time."
"When you get in these types of environments against a team that is as good as the Clippers trying to take stuff away from you it's even more difficult. I'm proud of our team the way we played, we know we're playing against a team that were down 0-2 last series and came back and won so don't get too high, don't get too low and play the way we know we have to play."
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.
