Fortunately both of those guys are really competitive and that’s what I like about them. To come in and try to learn a system and plays and defensive principles that guys have been working on all year ... that’s challenging and they’ve both done a really good job. – Jazz coach Quin Snyder, on Elijah Millsap and Elliot Williams
CLEVELAND — When you lose by 14 points in a game that was pretty much decided by halftime and included a 28-point deficit in the second half, there aren’t a lot of positive things to talk about.
But two bright spots for the Jazz Wednesday night were a couple of players who weren’t even with the team until recently.
Elijah Millsap and Elliot Williams are both operating on 10-day contracts for the Jazz, but both are playing like they plan to stick around for the season.
Millsap scored 12 points and Williams added 10 points and three assists in reserve roles for the Jazz, who are playing without regular two-guard Alec Burks and backup Rodney Hood. Both Burks and Hood are out with injuries.
Coach Quin Snyder said having two players on 10-day contracts is a challenge in and of itself. But he’s thrilled with the effort the 6-foot-6 Millsap and 6-5 Williams are providing his short-handed team.
“Fortunately both of those guys are really competitive and that’s what I like about them,’’ he said. “To come in and try to learn a system and plays and defensive principles that guys have been working on all year ... that’s challenging and they’ve both done a really good job.’’
“I just tried to bring some energy in the second half,’’ said Millsap, the younger brother of former Jazz player Paul Millsap. “That’s what I’m trying to do game by game and continue to bring my defensive intensity. It’s enjoyable and fun. Three weeks ago I was in the D-League and a year ago I was in Israel, so to be on the same court as LeBron James and all these other guys is fun.’’
While Millsap is playing in the NBA for the first time, Williams previously played for Portland in 2011-12 and for Philadelphia last year. He wasn’t awed playing against James, whom he called the “best player ever.’’ He acknowledged that playing on a 10-day contract isn’t easy.
“You can’t lie and say it does’t give you pressure,’’ he said. “One of the things you can control is the defensive end and that’s what I try to hang my hat on and just be aggressive offensively and try to make plays for others as well as myself.’’
ENES IS BACK: Another player that played well for the Jazz Wednesday was Enes Kanter, who missed some games with an ankle sprain earlier this month and is trying to get back to normal. He led the Jazz with 24 points and a season-high 17 rebounds.
“He looked like he found some rhythm,’’ said Snyder. “That doesn’t surprise me. It was good to see him relax and play the way he’s been doing all season. He’s having a career year in points and rebounds. Getting hurt is tough for any player. It’s going to take him some time to get his flow back.’’
Kanter wasn’t in much of a talking mood, despite his good game, because the Jazz lost.
“We lost the game so I don’t worry about how many I score or how many I have,’’ he said. “If I score 100 points it doesn’t matter because we lost the game. So I don’t really worry about my scoring or whatever.’’
JAZZ NOTES: The Jazz play at Milwaukee Thursday night, then return home for three straight home games — against Brooklyn Saturday, Boston Monday and the L.A. Clippers Wednesday. ... Both teams had 24 assists with James leading the way with nine. ... James also led both teams with seven turnovers, while Gordon Hayward had five for Utah. ... Every Jazz player played except Steve Novak. ... The Jazz defeated Cleveland 102-100 in Salt Lake in November.