OKC Thunder: National and TI editor power rankings week 8 – hot takes in top tier

Gradually the Jazz are improving defensively as they try to get back to the team most expected to be among the upper echelon in the West this season. Mind you for that to fully translate Rudy Gobert is going to have to stop waging battles with the men in stripes.

Something seems off with Joe Ingles who began the season lighting up the perimeter, but has opted to drive more in recent weeks even with open opportunities. Perhaps he’s nursing an injury or his confidence took a hit. But, if Utah wants to continue ascending they’ll need both Ingles and newly re-acquired Kyle Korver to start lighting up the perimeter. That could well be the difference in whether Utah is successful or return to the lottery.

Utah Jazz:

Offensive Rating: 21st
Defensive Rating: 12th
Net Differential: 19th

Points per game: 107.0 (24th)
Offensive field goal efficiency: 46.4 percent (9th) – JUMP OF FOUR SPOTS
Opponent points per game: 107.3 (6th)
Opponent field goal efficiency: 47.3 percent (25th)

Record: 13th in WC
Home: 4-6
Road: 9-8
Back to back sets: 4

Versus the West: 9-9
Versus the East: 4-5
Week eight 2-1:  beat Spurs, Rockets and lost @Spurs
On tap for week 9: @Thunder, Heat, @Magic