The scene is worthy of a football match when it comes to taking a penalty. In the middle of the week, when the Jazz moved to Houston, Mike Conley was about to shoot the free throw for a technical foul at the start of the fourth quarter. A few seconds earlier, he had obtained a foul from Garrison Mathews, on a penetration. The back of the Rockets had displayed his displeasure a little too much with the referees.
Not the smartest of reactions because the streak was likely to cost his team three points (the technique and throws related to the regular foul). This technical foul free throw, Mike Conley, one of the most skilful of the team (83%), preferred to give it up to his partner, Rudy Gay.
« He walked over and said, ‘I need to put one on’ reported the point guard, describing his teammate at the time as a “ player who needed an opportunity to see the ball in when you missed a few shots and need to find a rhythm. »
Rudy Gay was indeed tough at this stage with just two points scored and one converted shot on six attempts. So Mike Conley offered his teammate, who he had also played with at the Grizzlies, an opportunity to get back into it. In the warning, however: Don’t miss it. I said, ‘I understand you, brother. Go ahead and do it. If he missed it, I was going to put him through hell. »
The winger did not miss it while the leader had to settle for a 1/2 for his passage on the line in stride, to give the Jazz a 12-point lead. Utah finally had to fight until overtime to win and Rudy Gay did not really find his rhythm after this episode.
He settled for 3 points scored (1/7) and 2 rebounds in 13 minutes. A small production symptomatic of its current decline. Since the All-Star Break, the veteran has averaged less than three points with an infamous 12% shooting success percentage.
