by Kimya Oliver
The Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 118-114.
The Crossover: Utah Jazz by the Numbers
The Suns opened the first quarter on an 8-0 run. Rudy Gobert set a screen to help Donovan Mitchell get open to sink the three-point shot. The Suns managed to gain a 12-point lead halfway through the first frame.
Trent Forrest drove to the basket, but got stuck in traffic and made an outside pass to Royce O’Neale for the three-pointer. At the end of the first quarter, the game was tied at 32-32.
Mike Conley hit a step-back three with a dish from Rudy Gay to begin the second quarter. Halfway through the quarter, Hassan Whiteside made a hook shot to give the Jazz their first lead of the game, 45-43.
The Jazz continued to gain offensive momentum to gain a 52-47 lead with 3:30 left in the half. However, the Suns took the lead again in the final minutes. The first half ended with the Jazz trailing 60-56.
Gobert made a quick cut to the basket for the easy layup to begin the third quarter. The Jazz continued to attack the basket. Forrest grabbed the defensive rebound and made an outlet pass to Mitchell. Mitchell found Jordan Clarkson open in the corner to take an 89-86 lead with 1:30 left in the quarter. The third quarter ended with the Jazz leading 94-89.
Traveling: Jazz start road stretch with Victory
The Jazz could not find the bottom of the net for the first three and a half minutes of the final frame until Clarkson made a floater.
The Jazz continued to gain offensive momentum. Mitchell hit a step-back three to gain a 116-106 lead with 1:30 left in the game. The Jazz held on for the victory.
The Daily Double-Double
Mitchell finished with 26 points and Clarkson added 22 points. Gobert managed to get another double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Danuel House also played excellent defense and made two timely threes in the fourth quarter.
Bounce Pass: Up Next
The Jazz will be facing the Houston Rockets on March 2, 2022 at 6 p.m. MST.
Featured image courtesy Matt York, Associated Press