The Utah Jazz defeated the Portland Trailblazers in emphatic fashion on Thursday, securing a 122-103 blowout. Even though it had minimal postseason implications, Donovan Mitchell said they treated the matchup like a crucial one.
Mitchell told reporters after the game that it was a “must-win” situation for them (via Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune).
Donovan Mitchell: "It was a must-win. First off, we don’t lose 2 in a row. And we definitely don’t lose 3. That was the mindset."
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 9, 2021
This winning mentality has been a big reason for the Jazz's enormous success this season. They continue to lead the stacked Western Conference with a 39-13 record. Mitchell was wary after their loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and was eager not to have the same result. The Jazz prevailed on the second night of the back-to-back mainly off of Mitchell’s 37-point outburst.
Coach Quin Snyder has established a winning culture within the Jazz and this has been apparent on both ends of the floor. They are top five in both offensive and defensive rating in the entire NBA. The squad boasts a 107.5 defensive rating and a 116.9 offensive rating, good for third and fourth, respectively.
The Salt Lake crew is led by Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, who have both become perennial All-Stars. Mitchell’s tremendous offensive output has fueled the Jazz, while Gobert’s stifling rim protection anchors their defense.
The Western Conference is notoriously difficult to play through in the postseason, as many of the top teams feature superstar talent. But if Donovan Mitchell and company are able to continue playing as a cohesive and efficient unit, the likes of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Chris Paul could be in trouble.
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