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Utah know how to handle Gasol who's 'on fire'

In three head-to-heads against Jazz this season, the Spaniard recorded 22 (9-for-17), 17 (7-for-18) and eight points (4-for-22), and the Grizzlies made off with two wins

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Unlike last season, the Utah Jazz were prepared for their biggest enemy - injuries. During the summer they expanded their bench, which enables them to get through losing starters or important players a lot easier, but surely they'd like to see how strong they are when complete. Utah are fifth in the West with half a win behind the Clippers who seem to be on the verge of overcoming since they've lost Chris Paul for a longer period of time.

After a long time, coach Qin Snyder had all of the players available on Thursday, but his team's gameplay is far from impressing, even though they recorded their seventh win in the last nine games.

- I think we're not playing well at the moment, which is no surprise considering the number of games we've played in a short period, and we keep adding new players into the rotation. That breaks the rhythm of the whole team - said coach Snyder after the 96-88 home win against the Lakers.

Utah had a 16-0 series in the third quarter with which they escaped to +12 (68-56), and Rudy Gobert was especially good in that period. He was the reason why the Lakers didn't record a single point for six minutes. The Los Angeles team did their own series in the final quarter with which they came to only four points behind the hosts, but Utah ended the match with a win without much struggle.

- By the start of the third quarter Rudy started to dominate the defense. He carried us to victory - Snyder praised his center.

In the end Gobert recorded nine points (3-for-16), 13 rebounds and six blocks, and Gordon Hayward took care of the offense with 24 points (7-for-14), thus celebrating being selected an All-Start for the first time in his career.

- This year we're a lot more successful than before. I always said that with team success, individual quality will also be rewarded - said Hayward.

Utah's record at home this season is 17-8, and tonight they're hosting the Memphis Grizzlies led by Marc Gasol who's average in the last five games is 32.5 points. In that period he recorded at least 28 points, including the 28 (12-for-21) in last night's 112-109 defeat in Portland.

- I dragged him out of his comfort zone and made him be aggressive as the scorer. He accepted the role, even though it's not natural for him - coach David Fizdale commented his center's game.

In three head-to-heads against Utah this season, the Spaniard recorded 22 (9-for-17), 17 (7-for-18) and eight points (4-for-22), and the Grizzlies scraped out with two wins out of which the last one was on January 8th when they won with 88-79 at home.