Rudy Gobert’s revenge tour

The secrets of the the Jazz, the Lakers D, and the Bucks O

BY DAVID THORPE

A couple of years ago, the Rockets set an NBA record by averaging 16.13 made 3s per game. Twenty-seven games into the 2020-2021 season, the Jazz are making 16.7. We’ll be talking a lot more about this at TrueHoop in the days and weeks to come, but suffice it to say that’s a big part of why they are 18-1 after a 4-4 start. They’re ripping off wins against quality teams like the Bucks (twice), the Clippers, Spurs, Nuggets, Warriors, Blazers, and Pacers.

So the feisty Heat came into snowy Salt Lake City on Saturday with a crystal-clear game plan: Make life hell for the Jazz shooters. The Heat were masterful in executing Coach Erik Spoelstra’s vision. The Jazz are making almost 40 percent of their 3s this year, but missed their first seven. How long could the Heat keep Utah from catching fire?

The answer proved to be—all game. The Heat patrolled the perimeter aggressively and kept the Jazz shooters just a little off rhythm. By game's end, the Jazz made just 12 of 46 3s, for 2…