SALT LAKE CITY — Defense has been the staple of the Utah Jazz’s success during the Quin Snyder era.
Especially during last season’s second-round playoff run, where the Jazz held the league’s top defensive rating (102.9), en route to Rudy Gobert taking home the Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
Although it’s early, Utah’s team defense isn’t holding their opponents in check the same way they did a year ago. Through the first nine games, the Jazz are in the middle of the pack at No. 13 with a 107.7 defensive rating — tied with the Charlotte Hornets.