Atlanta • For once, scoring is not the issue.

The Jazz (19-27) have had three straight games of 115 points or more — two of them wins — while playing the Kings, the Knicks and the injured Clippers. With a date Monday against the last-place Atlanta Hawks (No. 26 in defensive rating), the points could come pouring out again.

But what coach Quin Snyder would like to see is a return to the defensive principles the Jazz have become known for: They’ve also allowed an average of 112 points in those three games, which is way above their norm.

“If we play well, a back-to-back streak — it’s a step,” Snyder said. “I’d like to see us play better on defense like he we did against Sacramento.”

Adding to the issues is that Rodney Hood will miss a second straight game with a lower left leg contusion, as trade rumors around him swirl at warp speed. His absence likely means the Jazz will return to the lineup with Joe Ingles as a starter, and Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors as the starting forwards.

JAZZ AT HAWKS



When • Monday, 5:30 p.m. MST



TV • ATTSN



Utah has not had the luxury of a concrete starting rotation, especially recently. Between Thabo Sefolosha’s season-ending injury, Gobert’s return and Hood’s most recent injury, inconsistency has been the norm. Snyder called the rotation “a work in progress” on Monday morning, but said he’s seen promising stints from Royce O’Neale and more recently Alec Burks off the bench. He’s also been happy with the offense efficiency of Gobert, who has shot 13 for 19 since coming back.

But that defense: Shifts in the rotation sometimes means shifts in how defense is played. Favors has played more at power forward, which changes his assignments. And Utah plays differently when Gobert is out versus when he’s in.

The prospect of stringing together some wins is intoxicating for a team that’s only 4.5 games behind the Clippers to reach the top eight of the West.