One night after winning streak snapped, Jazz start a new one with gritty win over Mavericks

For four weeks, winning had just come so easily — maybe Jazz fans started to take for granted just how hard it can be.

There was little that came comfortably in Utah’s 97-90 win over the Dallas Mavericks — the very team whose owner was fined $600,000 this week for saying his team should tank. While it was the Jazz’s 12th win in 13 games, they didn’t resemble the squad that went into the All-Star break with the NBA’s longest winning streak.

Jae Crowder’s free throws with 7.7 seconds left finally gave the Jazz (31-29) the breathing room they needed to pull out the victory.

Then again, maybe it hasn’t been as effortless lately as it has seemed: For the last four games, coach Quin Snyder pointed out, the Jazz have put together gritty performances, including in close wins during the streak over the Spurs and the Suns. And while none of those games has been particularly pretty, the Jazz have come out on the right side of most of them — including against the 18-42 Mavericks.

“This is just a tough game for us every time we play ’em,” Snyder said. “This was a gritty win, just as big as one of the ones that was something in a row. I’m really happy with how we competed and how we finished.”

For the 31st game this season, Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz in scoring, notching 25 points, but also adding five assists and six rebounds. It was a convincing showing compared to Dallas’ own star rookie guard Dennis Smith Jr., who was 2 for 11 with seven points.

While both teams were a tepid 7 for 18 from the field in the fourth quarter, it was Utah’s 12 free-throw attempts (the Jazz made nine) that won it a close game. Dallas didn’t get one free-throw look in the final period.

Joe Ingles talks about the grinding win over the Mavs, and reflects on Utah’s play in the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/hH3pf3bcTy
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) February 25, 2018

The Jazz earned looks at the line on offense, but in particular, Ricky Rubio gave them key calls while the Mavericks were attempting to mount their comeback. Rubio drew offensive fouls against Dallas, leading to free throws and changes in possessions. It helped Utah win in turnover margin (plus-five) after it was a weak point in Friday’s loss to the Trail Blazers.

While Rubio didn’t look 100 percent healthy — playing the fewest minutes of any Jazz starter and rubbing his bum hip more than once after a tumble — he still filled out the stat sheet, adding six assists and five rebounds despite shooting 2 for 9 from the field. On one notable play, he hustled for a loose ball near half court, pitching it back to Jonas Jerebko and leading the sellout crowd to standing applause

“Those are plays you don’t see in the stats, but those are big plays,” said Rudy Gobert, who finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. “When you hustle, it’s a big difference maker. We had a few of those plays tonight.”

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) defends asDallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. (1) breaks for the basket, in NBA action between Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018.

Though Mitchell and Rubio both played big roles in facilitating against the Mavericks, Joe Ingles led all Jazzmen with eight assists to go with his 12 points. But more impressive still: Ingles played in his 200th straight game, which is the third-longest active streak in the NBA.

The 30-year-old Aussie said he has no particular secret to share, except his copious treatment regimen … and maybe his position.

“I don’t really go in the paint, so I don’t really get hurt: Can’t get hurt shooting threes,” he said. “Hopefully we get another 200.”

One night after winning streak snapped, Jazz start a new one with gritty win over Mavericks

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