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More nights in their own beds and fewer days spent on medical tables. Fewer runways and, perhaps, more runaway victories.
As the Utah Jazz approach the midway point of their season, they find themselves positioned well enough, having endured an up-and-down opening act.
"Now we can refresh," as Jazz center Rudy Gobert put it, with his team heading home from a difficult five-game road trip, "and be ready to kind of start a new season with everybody."
The Jazz went just 2-3 in their nine days away from Salt Lake City. They suffered a fourth-quarter collapse in Canada, put together an improbable rally in Minneapolis, and had another comeback effort stopped short in Memphis.
"First off, I am just proud of the way we fought," Jazz forward Gordon Hayward said about the five-game excursion east. "It was a tough trip for us, not having guys fully healthy until these last games. We played some really good teams. So I'm proud of the way we fought. I think it could've been a lot worse for us. Obviously, not the way you want to end it, but it is going to be good to get home and get some rest. Hopefully we can turn this around due to the fact that we have some guys fully healthy and get some wins here."
It has been some time since the Jazz have played up to their potential. Even so, they find themselves within striking distance of a top-four playoff spot, just 2.5 games back, despite having missed a combined 100 games due to injury and illness.
But the Jazz are hopeful they can begin to make a push with their injury report now empty for the first time this season.
"It's obviously great to be healthy and have everyone back for a couple of games now," forward Joe Ingles said. "It's going to take time for everyone to adjust and roles to sort out, but we've got a group that obviously wants to win and everyone's hearts and minds are in the right spot."
The schedule makers have put Utah in a decent spot, too. The Jazz face a difficult test Tuesday night, when they host LeBron James and the reigning champion Cavaliers. But the Jazz will play nine of their next 12 games at home. Meanwhile, six of their next 10 games are against teams with sub-.500 records.
There was disappointment in defeat as they left Memphis. But there also was optimism in the Jazz locker room with George Hill, and his steadying influence at point guard, finally healthy again and looking to shape the second half of the season. Forward Derrick Favors, a month after his return from a knee injury, just now has started to look like the player the Jazz relied on so heavily last season.
"I don't know how long that's going to take, but we can catch our breath, and we can try to get fresh," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "It was a disjointed trip given what we thought we were heading into a couple of days before we left. …. We played against a couple of teams that are doing really well right now, so you always want to do better and have one more win and two more wins. We've been away a while, and it will be good to get back and hopefully continue to get better."
Twitter: @aaronfalk —
Jazz vs. Cavaliers
At Vivint SmartHome Arena
Tipoff • 7 p.m. Tuesday
TV • ROOT
Radio • 1280 AM, 97.5 FM
About the Jazz • Will play nine of their next 12 at Vivint SmartHome Arena. … Rodney Hood averaged 22 points a game to help the Jazz split the season series with Cleveland last year, but the Jazz shooting guard is trying to break out of his current slump. … Will need to clean up turnovers; Utah had 18 giveaways in Sunday's loss to Memphis.
About the Cavs • LeBron James isn't showing signs of slowing down after bringing the Cavs their first title. He's averaging better than 26 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. … Former Jazz sharpshooter Kyle Korver could make his Cleveland debut. … Have won six straight games stretching back to Christmas day.