Ace Bailey’s defense shines — and 2 other takeaways in final Jazz preseason home game

The Utah Jazz played their third preseason game Monday, beating the San Antonio Spurs 119-109.

Here are three takeaways from the game.

Sharing is caring — but stealing is nice, too

While head coach Will Hardy wasn’t happy with what he described as “sloppy fouling” in the second quarter that led to 24 San Antonio free throws, Hardy said he saw “a lot of bright spots,” namely the Jazz’s 26 assists.

Brice Sensabaugh and Darryn Peterson led the team with five each.

“There were some individual moments for a lot of the guys that played where everybody sort of got to have their moment about them, but it’s a team game,” Hardy said postgame. “I love that we get 26 assists in the game. I think we really have a good intent about us right now in terms of sharing the ball, but a lot of work still to do. That second quarter has got to be cleaned up.”

Another aspect of the game that Hardy appreciated was the team’s 18 total steals. Isaiah Collier led the way with five.

“(Collier) is an incredibly gifted athlete,” Hardy said. “He has really good instincts. The ability to close space. I think his — gambling’s the wrong term — but he’s doing it in the appropriate way right now. He’s picking his spots of when to go for those steals, shoot in the gap.”

‘Ace Defender’ shines off the bench

Ace Bailey could soon have a new nickname, “Ace Defender.”

The second-year forward had five defensive rebounds on Monday, only trailing Svi Mykhailiuk’s six. He also earned a shoutout from Hardy for his three steals.

“I thought that Ace did a great job with his hands, using his length on the ball,” Hardy said.

The head coach credited Bailey’s offseason conditioning, which has put him “at a way different level than he was last year.” Bailey later revealed that his conditioning was the result of a lot of time spent on the track.

“His conditioning is allowing him to make those multiple efforts on both sides of the ball,” Hardy said. “Defensively, his understanding of space and how to use his length. He’s closing distances on closeouts right now really well, containing the ball at the point of attack.

“He’s turning the guy with the ball multiple times, and then you see him use his length to get some of those deflections on ball where he really isn’t reaching. He’s keeping his feet moving and keeping his defensive posture while sticking his arm out. He’s not lunging for the ball.”

This season, Bailey said he wants to use his athleticism to his advantage on defense and “guard the best defenders, give them a hard time.”

Offensively, Bailey only put up six points Monday, but he’s not worried.

“Offense is going to come,” he said. “I’m not worried about the offensive end. I mean, I can score. It’s just mainly just focused on the defensive end, just being the two-way player we need.”

Jaxson Hayes provides offensive spark in Jusuf Nurkić’s absence

With Jusuf Nurkić officially out for four weeks, Jaxson Hayes earned his second consecutive start.

Both the Spurs and the Jazz struggled to score to start the game.

About a minute into the game, Hayes opened the night’s scoring with a free throw, though he missed his first.

Hayes proved he can step up to provide an offensive spark when needed.

For most of the first half, Hayes led the Jazz in scoring with 11 points. He was subbed out at the half for the remainder of the game. He also finished with both an offensive and a defensive rebound.

Up next, the Jazz head on the road to play the Phoenix Suns in their final preseason game Friday.