by Kimya Oliver
The Utah Jazz defeated the Orlando Magic 114-99 to continue their five-game win streak.
The Crossover: Utah Jazz by the Numbers
Udoka Azubuike gave Mike Conley a screen for the alley-oop pick and roll to start the first quarter. The Jazz opened the quarter on an 18-7 run.
Trent Forrest drove to the basket but made an easy pass in the paint to Hassan Whiteside for a high percentage shot. The Jazz continued to execute offensively, ending the first quarter leading 28-12.
Forrest drove to the basket for the layup to open the second quarter. The Jazz cut the Jazz lead to 11 points with 8:30 left in the first half.
Jordan Clarkson picked the ball loose for the steal and made the layup on the other end, including the following free throw as he was fouled on the play. The Magic managed to cut the Jazz lead to five points to end the first half with the score of 44-39.
Royce O’Neale began the third quarter by hitting back-to-back threes. The Magic didn’t back down and cut the Jazz lead to one point, but Mitchell answered by pulling up from deep.
Forrest drove to the basket and missed the layup, but Whiteside was there for the offensive rebound for the pass to O’Neale for the corner three. The Jazz led 60-54 with 6:30 left in the quarter.
Donovan Mitchell drove to the basket, pivoted, and pump-faked to get his defender in the air. That drew contact for the shot which he made. Mitchell also made the following free throw.
With 35 seconds left in the frame, Forrest came up with the steal and found Whiteside in the paint for a slam dunk. The third quarter ended with the Jazz leading 77-74.
Traveling: Jazz welcome another visitor with a loss
To start the final quarter, Conley drove to the basket for a layup. The Jazz opened the fourth on a 10-5 run.
After the dish from Mitchell, Whiteside made a floater with less than five minutes to play in the game. The Jazz continued to jump for loose balls and attack the basket in transition for the rest of the game.
The Daily Double-Double
Mitchell led the Jazz with 24 points and Whiteside finished with 15 points and 18 rebounds to record the only double-double of the game.
Bounce Pass: Up Next
The Jazz will be facing the Houston Rockets on February 14 at 7 p.m. MST.
Featured image courtesy Spenser Heaps, Deseret News