The Utah Jazz have the best record in the Western Conference and the number 2 offense in the NBA and are rolling along like usual. We have heard this story before, nothing new right? Oh, except that the Jazz traded away their 3 best players and was supposed to be tanking but instead decided to run a modern 5-Out offense that helped eliminate them the past few postseasons and are blending good NBA players into a great early season start.

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Currently the Utah Jazz have the #2 overall offense in the NBA running 5-Out and spacing the floor looking for 3 point shots - ranking 5th in frequency and 6th in accuracy. However they are not just standing around shooting 3s, they cut well off the ball, drive and kick effectively, and are 4th in offensive rebounding %, grabbing back 31.1% of their missed shots. In addition to this the Jazz are 4th in the NBA in transition points added, running off both steals and live ball rebounds with 5-Out spacing.

Spacing

5-Out

The Jazz space the floor in 5-Out with their starting lineup and use the skillsets of Markannen, Olynyk, and Vanderbilt as elite connectors, creators, and scorers to ensure spacing is maintained. Guard play from Conley, Clarkson, Sexton & Beasley ensures the Jazz can attack any defensive coverage and create chances for good shots.

When driving, the way the help reacts is much different from the beautiful spacing the Jazz always maintains. Here the slot drive draws corner help from Capela, and that advantage is maintained with an extra pass to Conley and ending up with the 3 ball from Markannen.

Drives

The constant spacing and movement allow for downhill driving lanes and you can see when the defense collapses on these drives the kicks are open.

Another example of maintaining advantages and moving the ball, the extra pass allows THT to attack the closeout with the defense scrambling for the layup.

Backdoors

A huge benefit of this spacing is the paint remaining open so with the floor spaced, it allows room for backdoor cuts.

Cut Into Space

The Jazz also have high IQ players who recognize when to cut into space and the passers to recognize when to pass it to them.

Finishing Cuts & Rolls

Here in early offense, Vanderbilt is looking for a ball screen then dives right to the rim with a basket cut. Not only does this create a driving lane but he then makes himself available for the drop-off pass. His defender has to recognize this in transition defense and then stop the ball but no help can come because players are concerned with the spacing.

This creates 4-out spacing randomly and gives the defense different looks, something that the Jazz will look for often when Walker Kessler is in the game with their second unit.

3 Side Dives

The Utah Jazz will run actions with one side of the floor empty with 3 players on one side of the court. When they run any actions with this spacing the player spaced in the middle of the 3 or at the “45” break will be the player who either screen or cut into space. Here Sexton recognizes gap help at the nail and flare screens for a 3 point shot.

In this clip, he initially looks for the same screen, but when space opens up he makes himself available for the pass and finish.

Paired Cutters

On any drives the Jazz have the option to make themselves available for the pass with their “Paired Cutter” concept. When driving baseline the Jazz look for players filling space from the opposite wing and slot cutting as the drive takes place.

On any slot drives, the players on the baseline will cut behind the help (also called “Burn” or “Wade” cuts).

Stampedes

When the Jazz drive and kick a big part of the way they attack closeouts are “Stampedes” or a drive through the pass.

This is a concept the Jazz ran under Snyder so it makes sense this carries over to this years team.

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Half Court Hoops - Coach's Cut

Utah Jazz 5-Out Offense Breakdown

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