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Utah Jazz: Top 10 moments from 2017-18 NBA season

By Simon Smith

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Annihilation of the Washington Wizards

It’s hard to have a rundown of the Jazz’s top 10 moments and not include their largest winning margin of the season.

Granted, the Washington Wizards were without the services of All-Star point guard John Wall on Dec. 4, thus depriving them of their most explosive performer. However, this shouldn’t downplay the magnitude of the Jazz’s performance, exploding to a 64-30 lead at the main break on their way to a 116-69 win.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/937898538071072768

Shooting 16-of-34 from 3-point range and 56.6 percent overall from the field certainly didn’t do the Jazz’s chances any harm. However, it was holding the Wizards to a ghastly 28.7 percent clip from the field that ultimately led the Jazz to coming away with an enormous 47-point win.

Reserve guard Alec Burks scored 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, while rookie Donovan Mitchell chipped in 21 points. So while the Jazz scored with ease, it was their renowned defense that made all the difference.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/937901537778483200

In holding the Wizards to just 69 points, the Jazz wound up with their most efficient night of the year at the defensive end, finishing with an incredible 75.7 defensive rating.

As would be expected, coach Snyder was throughly impressed with the performance:

"“I think we really came out with the right mindset defensively, and when we do that the offense is just easier….we played really well….it was really good. The defense was good, too.”"

This win made it six straight for the Jazz, who unbeknownst to them were about to enter a flat period of the season where they would lose 13 of their next 16 games.

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