"We didn't get stops defensively," Hayward said. "They made some big, big plays and big shots down the stretch and that's got to be on us to get those stops and rebounds."
This one was actually more understandable than Friday night when the Jazz helplessly watched the 17-win Hornets score 13 straight points in the fourth quarter in that damaging defeat.
"We had the game controlled up until the fourth quarter," Millsap said. "People complained about the first quarter throughout the weeks, and it's been the fourth quarter that's been killing us lately."
Having said that, Millsap credited Memphis for getting it done. That helped the Grizzlies improve to 35-24 and stay within reach of the Los Angeles teams for home-court advantage in the first round.
"They were more aggressive in the fourth quarter. They knocked down shots when they needed to," Millsap said. "We didn't particularly know the time and situations, and coming down the stretch we was a little boggled, so it cost us for it."
Al Jefferson and Harris led the Jazz with 20 points apiece, while Millsap and Hayward each contributed 17. Derrick Favors had his third-straight double-double — a career-first — with 14 rebounds and 10 points off the bench.
"You know what, the guys played hard," Corbin added. "We've got to learn from it and just continue to work."
And keep working until that one day when the Jazz are that one team in important games like this.
Email: jody@desnews.com
Twitter: DJJazzyJody
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Jody is a sports writer who covers the Utah Jazz for the Deseret News (yeah, rough life). He also writes about his fitness/health journey and triathlon exploits in his "Losing It!" column. He has been with the paper since more ..
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Turn out the lights, the parties over. That said--I love this team and DO NOT want some weird overhaul. This is an incredibly young team that is relying heavily on rookies and second year players to make lots of contribution and few mistakes. These More..
Sad, but predictable. I like this team, but I would rather have the lottery pick than look forward to a 4 game sweep by OKC or the Spurs.
Until the Jazz address a couple of defensive weaknesses with the starting five. This team will barely sniff the playoffs. This goal of the organization to shoot for the 8th seed in the playoffs every year is very disturbing. I say replace the More..