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2) Rudy Gay makes Jazz debut and scores 20

Mention the Utah Jazz as contenders to come out of the West – they absolutely are – and the response is a dismissive “Just wait until they fold in the playoffs again.” Dropping four straight games to the small-ball Clippers without Kawhi Leonard ended belief in the Jazz.

What would change their playoff fortunes? Having a healthy Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell would make the Jazz a far more dangerous playoff team.

The conventional wisdom on the Jazz is right in one sense: Nothing they do in the regular season matters in how we will judge them this season. Utah is 10-5 and that undersells how well they have played – the Jazz have a top-five offense and defense and a 9.3 net rating that is second only to the Warriors.

Highlight of the night: Spurs’ Devin Vassell dunks on Timberwolves ball guy

Life comes at you fast when you’re a ball guy in the NBA.

A Minnesota ball guy was mopping sweat off the floor in the key when the Spurs’ Devin Vassell and Lonie Walker IV trapped the Wolves’ Jordan McLaughlin at halfcourt.

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