by Kimya Oliver
After going winless for four games, the Utah Jazz defeated the Denver Nuggets 125-102.
The Crossover: Utah Jazz by the Numbers
The Jazz offense struggled early, turning the ball over twice in the first two minutes. They allowed the Nuggets to open the quarter on an 8-0 run.
Mike Conley found Bojan Bogdanovic open for a catch-and-shoot three to put the Jazz on the board. The Jazz gained offensive momentum to cut the Nuggets’ lead to 18-16 halfway through the first quarter.
With a high screen from Rudy Gobert, Jordan Clarkson pulled up from beyond the arc to sink the shot. The first quarter ended with the Jazz leading 37-33.
Off a bad pass, Clarkson stole the ball and Eric Paschall made the shot off the backboard to get the second quarter started. The Jazz opened the second quarter on a 10-5 run.
Donovan Mitchell had the ball on the wing on the three-point line. Rudy Gay cut to the basket for the catch and shoot at the free-throw line. The first half ended with the Jazz holding onto their lead 68-58.
Conley hit from deep to get the third quarter started. The Nuggets managed to tie the score 80-80 with 3:30 left in the third quarter. The Jazz started to get their offense rolling again. A corner pass from Joe Ingles led to Gay hitting the three-pointer. In the following play, Joe Ingles hit from beyond the arc. The third quarter ended with the Jazz leading 91-88.
Traveling: Jazz get needed road win
Clarkson drove to the basket and kicked it out to Paschall in the corner. Paschall drove to the basket for the tough up-and-under layup to get the final quarter started.
The Jazz continued to attack the rim. Gobert gave Ingles a high screen and Ingles found Gobert alone under the rim for the layup while being fouled. Gobert made the following free throw.
The Daily Double-Double
The Nuggets could not stop the Jazz’s offensive momentum for the remainder of the game. Mitchell ended with 31 points and Bogdanovic ended with 21 points. The double-double was back in action with Gobert chipping in 18 points and 19 boards.
Bounce Pass: Up Next
The Jazz will be facing LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on January 17 at 8:30 p.m. MST on NBA TV.
Featured image courtesy David Zalubowski, Associated Press
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