New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz: 3 takeaways from the restart opener

New Orleans Pelicans Brandon Ingram (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans Brandon Ingram (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
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NBA
NBA Memphis Grizzlies Mike Conley (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

A great sign for Conley

When the Utah Jazz traded for Mike Conley, many expected him to be a piece that would change the ceiling for the franchise. However, during the season, Conley was less than spectacular during the regular season with the Jazz. He averaged just 14 points (one of the lowest outputs in his career) and six assists on 40 percent shooting from the field.

He didn’t look like a great fit next to Donovan Mitchell and struggled with the team overall. With Bojan Bogdanovic out for the restart, there was a clear indication that Conley was going to need to play a vital role for the Jazz to make a playoff run of any kind.

At least in his first game back with the team, Conley looked good. He finished with 20 points and four assists on 7-16 shooting from the field. It was just one game, but this has to be considered a great sign for both Conley and the Jazz.

On a night in which Mitchell struggled from the field, Conley stepped up and was the team’s third-leading scorer. That’s exactly what they needed.