Utah Jazz commit 29 turnovers in blowout loss to OKC Thunder – Deseret News

For the second time in the last 22 years, the Utah Jazz recorded 29 turnovers in a single NBA game.

It should go without saying that a team that coughs up the ball so often is unlikely to win, but the Oklahoma City Thunder made sure the Jazz were punished for every turnover on Tuesday night. In a 133-106 win over the Jazz at Paycom Center, the Thunder turned the Jazz’s 29 turnovers into 45 points on the other end.

“The story of the game is pretty obvious, it’s the turnovers,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy said. “With 29 turnovers, 18 of which were live ball, our ball security was really exposed tonight… They really took advantage of us tonight because we lacked quick decision making, we got too caught up in the crowd, we got not fought for our space very well. In my view, this was the deciding factor in the game before the game started. In the end it was the crucial part of the game.”

Before Tuesday night, the Jazz’s turnover record under Hardy was 26, and it was just the sixth game since 2001 in which a Jazz team committed 29 or more turnovers.

If you’re looking for a silver lining from a revenue perspective, at least the Jazz didn’t eclipse the team’s overall revenue record. The New Orleans Jazz set the franchise record of 37 turnovers in 1976 with a win over the San Antonio Spurs. The record after moving to Utah is 32 turnovers, set in a loss to the Spurs in 1981.

But the 29 errors on Tuesday evening are not only problematic because of the high number. The Jazz’s lack of consideration for the ball may actually be preventing them from recognizing and understanding some of the development they are experiencing on defense.

“I felt like our halfcourt defense was pretty good, especially in the first half, but they scored so many points off of turnovers,” Hardy said. “It’s frustrating for the guys because a lot of the hard work they do on our defense isn’t visible because they’re kind of blocked by these live turnovers where they get out in transition.” Someone looked the box score and asked, “What do you mean?” They scored 133 points, they’re not getting any better on defense.” But they are. But 29 turnovers have nothing to do with your (half-court) defense, that’s your offense, that’s your decision-making, that’s your ball strength.”

The turnovers not only shield the defensive work in the half court, they also don’t allow the Jazz to carry out their offense the way they did behind the scenes.

This isn’t about the Jazz winning or losing. Even without those turnovers, most teams will beat this Jazz team based on talent alone. This is about the players and their ability to actually be a valuable part of an NBA system. Honestly, if they aren’t able to keep the ball, they won’t be able to stay in the league.

The tricky thing is that it’s not just a single player and it’s not just one type of turnover. There are a number of players on the Jazz roster and turnovers in every way imaginable. But for Hardy, he worries more than anything about players failing to develop good defensive habits and losing motivation because they’re taking care of the ball.

“My biggest fear is that guys don’t see or feel that they’re improving when it comes to the foundation of our defense,” he said. “The fluctuations will be something that, if we don’t get it under control, will distract from the things that are being improved.”