In the first half of Game 3, it took Dante Exum three drives to get points.
The fourth-year guard had to earn them the hard way: at the free throw line.
It’s been that kind of series for Exum in his second postseason. His minutes have been slightly higher, and he’s been counted on to lead the second unit at point guard. The results have been … uneven.
But while the coaching staff is working on adjustments with Exum, they’re not coming down on him hard. Jazz coach Quin Snyder said after Exum’s turnovers, he’s as likely to tell him to keep up the energy.
“I’m telling him, ‘Good job,’” Snyder said at Monday’s shootaround. “‘Keep attacking.’”
Since Exum’s career has been fraught with injuries, the Jazz still regard him as a player in early development. The coaching staff has tried to give him room to make mistakes, especially since he only got healthy 14 games before the playoffs started.
Entering Monday night, Exum played 40 minutes and had seven turnovers. His composure and decision-making fluctuated from possession to possession.
If those are Exum’s biggest problems, Snyder said he can live with that. He acknowledged while he’s been hard on Exum in the past, those were questions of effort. Exum hasn’t shown that problem this season.
“When I see him doing that, I think if he makes a mistake, that’s part of the process to look at it and make it better,” Snyder said. “He’s doing that. And it’s my job to support him and give him confidence and help him stay aggressive.”
Don’t mind the tape
Russell Westbrook is famous for his wardrobe, but he had a different accessory Monday night: black KT tape on his shoulders.
The tape fueled whispers that Westbrook, who didn’t take a shot in the fourth quarter of Game 3, is not 100 percent healthy. Coach Billy Donovan acknowledged while Westbrook has likely been dealing with the bumps and bruises that every player plays with in the postseason, the medical staff hasn’t told him about anything wrong with Westbrook. He’s participated in team activities in the last two days.
“Nothing’s been brought to my attention of what he may be dealing with,” Donovan said. “Nothing’s limiting him from doing things we’ve been doing in practice or shootarounds.”
Briefly
Among the lower-bowl fans on Monday night was former Massachusetts governor and Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney, who was spotted by national TV cameras taunting Westbrook after he received his fourth foul wearing a No. 5 Jazz jersey. … Following up on the team’s City Edition shirt giveaway, the Jazz had a “white-out” promotion giving away white shirts to all 18,306 in attendance.
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