West Conf. Semis - Game 5: Utah Jazz 102-112 Houston Rockets - 5 Talking Points

#4 Alec Burks lit up the scoreboard in a credible display

#10 Alec Burks

Burks is the only Jazz player remaining in the 2018 Playoffs from the team that made it to that stage in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season. A largely forgotten commodity in NBA circles, Burks is a player who only had a following amongst Utah Jazz faithful.

Burks has been a shot in the arm for coach Quin Snyder in the playoffs, and he was quite influential in the shock Game 2 win they engineered. In game 5, Burks was a welcome scoring presence off the bench, as he proceeded to score 22 crucial points for a Jazz team which had the likes of Jae Crowder, Raul Neto, and Derrick Favors struggling to score.

Burks' straight-line speed allowed him to score off transition opportunities, as well as in the half-court set. The 7th-year veteran displayed impressive handles in laying up a number of shots, while he was also an effective shooter from downtown with figures of 3-for-5. Burks also knocked down all 5 of his free throw attempts.