Expertise-enriched Jazz face dismantled Rockets

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Expertise-enriched Jazz face dismantled Rockets

The Utah Jazz, armed with ample measurement, perimeter taking pictures and defensive would possibly, deepened their expertise pool with the addition of veteran ahead Ersan Ilyasova through the All-Star break.

Ilyasova joins a Jazz group that has the perfect document within the NBA regardless of three losses over their previous 4 video games. Utah will look to reclaim its successful stride on Friday when it opens the second half of the season towards Houston Rockets in Salt Lake Metropolis.

The 33-year-old Ilyasova (6-9, 235), a local of Turkey, performed final season for the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s a profession 36.5 p.c 3-point shooter and will present a further weapon to a group that leads the NBA in 3-pointers made and tried per sport, and ranks third in proportion.

However past that, Ilyasova provides the expertise of 51 playoff video games with three groups.

“The factor that he brings is expertise, initially,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder mentioned. “His means to play a number of positions defensively. Being a vet, I believe he is aware of learn how to guard a number of positions.

“The benefit of our group is our guys are concerning the group and assimilating, and something he can do to assist us be higher, we’re enthusiastic about.”

The Rockets’ ongoing roster disaster continued in earnest on Thursday when the group and ahead P.J. Tucker got here to a mutual understanding that Tucker would not play for the Rockets. Tucker initially traveled with the group to Sacramento however returned to Houston because the Rockets suffered their 14th consecutive loss, falling to the Kings 125-105.

Tucker performed 268 video games with the Rockets, 220 of them as a starter. With the franchise in a tailspin, his manufacturing dipped to 4.4 factors and 4.6 rebounds per sport, lows for his time in Houston. He was taking pictures 36.6 p.c general and 31.4 p.c from behind the arc, career-low marks, and his 46.9 efficient discipline objective proportion matched the bottom determine of his nine-plus-year profession.

“We’ll strive to determine one thing that works for him and works for us so far as him not being on the group anymore,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas mentioned.

The feedback have been much like what was heard earlier than James Harden was traded and DeMarcus Cousins was launched.

“I used to be underneath the idea that he was going to be taking part in (towards Sacramento), and he did not play. That was disappointing, however it’s no secret that it has been a tough yr. He is been skilled, he is been within the lineup and attempting and doing what he can. However at this level, we’ll do what’s greatest for the group and do what’s greatest for P.J., and that is in all probability not having him right here,” Silas mentioned.

The Rockets have been additionally with out Christian Wooden (ankle), John Wall (knee), Danuel Home Jr. (knee), and David Nwaba (wrist) towards the Kings and misplaced Eric Gordon to a groin damage within the third quarter.

Gordon will endure an MRI in Utah and has been declared out towards the Jazz.

–Discipline Stage Media

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