This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Washington, D.C. • The ink on Utah's 109-95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks was barely dry before Jazz players began to think about the next challenge: Stopping John Wall and Bradley Beal.
The Jazz know they aren't going to completely shut down Wall and Beal, one of the best backcourt duos in the NBA. But if they can slow them, they could have an opportunity to beat the Wizards on Sunday.
"They have a lot of talent," Utah forward Gordon Hayward said. "John is super fast. Bradley knows how to play. When they're both rolling, they're hard to stop."
Wall averages 23 points per game and was on the Eastern Conference All-Star team. He's one of the league leaders in assists, and has 18 games this season with 20 points and 10 assists.
One of the best shooters in the NBA, Beal averages 22.6 points per game. He has four 40-point games this season, and his ability to score has given Washington's offense a versatility it hasn't seen in recent seasons.
As they go, the Wizards go. Beal and Wall provide most of the scoring and create shots for both themselves and their teammates. While Markieff Morris and Otto Porter both hover around 14 points per game, they seldom create offense for themselves.
"They are both really good players and they complement each other well," Utah guard George Hill said. "We know it's going to be a tough job trying to defend them. We can't let them come out and dominate the game."
Hood eases his way back into things
Jazz guard Rodney Hood isn't worried about his showing against the Bucks. In his first game back since missing almost a month due to a hyperextended knee, Hood scored three points in 21 minutes and shot 1 of 9 from the field.
"I just wasn't in a rhythm," Hood said. "I thought the shots were good, they just weren't falling."
Hood was placed into the starting lineup by coach Quin Snyder. He picked up two fouls in the first quarter and had to come out, which threw him off for much of the game. He had open looks. He got to the rim, but couldn't finish. He did make a big corner 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.
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