Game Thread Feb 07, 2026 05:00PM MT: Utah Jazz @ Orlando Magic

[Thee Jazz Fan]

Kudos for the Jazz for showing that they could have won that game if they wanted and for taking the necessary steps to lose the game, lol

 

[Shad]

Holy smokes, I just watched the end of the game.

What a performance by the Jazz to say the least

 

[TheGoldStandard]

We have watched the Jazz refuse to lose, even with poor rosters, (two years post-Stockton and Malone are great examples) for many years while other teams tanked over and over, it makes me laugh that people are mad the Jazz are tanking.

Another thought-I was under the assumption a challenge could not be called after any other call, including a tech or a delay of game.

 

[nateboz]

Up basically 20 then deciding it's time to lose. Amazing.

 

[idiot]

If either Brice or Ace shot the ball well, we'd have won the game handily.

 

[rocfan1]

I’ll argue this form of tanking isn’t aggressive enough. We almost won this game. This is thread the needle tanking. We can get a lot more egregious.

I like that Hardy played the starters through half-time then alternated Lauri and JJJ in the third. But then Keynote should sit or at minimum just work a few minutes with JJJ and Lauri in the third.

We should’ve Matched Indiana’s nasty tank when we played them. Lost opportunity to pull closer in the L column.

 

[jazznik]

JJJ on offense often looked like the second coming of Al Jefferson. Not sure if I like that.

 

[Tom Pitt]

View: https://youtu.be/FTSPRn6gpsg


For those who missed the game/JJJ highlights

 

[Tom Pitt]

JJJ on offense often looked like the second coming of Al Jefferson. Not sure if I like that.

JJJ is at least kind of drivey. He's driving to the basket a lot more than you'd think. That said, yeah there were a few post ups

 

[jazznik]

Also, Collier's 3PT% is steadily moving down to his last year's mark. I guess all of that improved shooting when wide open was just a mirage. His FT% is already to his last year's 68%. He would not be able to play serious minutes on a non-tanking team if he does not learn to shoot.

 

[framer]

Draft wheel has its own flaws but it's definitely preferable to the current system.

With how many teams are tanking this year I'd be shocked if nothing changes going forward.

This will fix itself next year. I suspect the NBA's response will be to outlaw anything but top 4 or straight lottery protections on a pick starting in 2028.

 

[framer]

I will say, after reading the melt down NBA reddit is having over Utah's tank job tonight, the next 2 months is gonna be kind of painful whether they hold onto the pick or not. Ultimate pain is losing the pick. And subtle pain in keeping it. Watch Washington and Utah fall as much as possible in the draft lottery

If Adam Silver doesn't like it, he's got to find a find a way to take all incentives out of losing... but even if they did, that may not be best for the league anyway

Yeah, we definitely could not have done this for 82 games like many here wanted. I think the Jazz try to settle into the 5 spot and manage it from there, winning if there is any room to win.