by Alma Bean
Feature Image: Jordan Clarkson (00) dribbling while Reggie Bullock (25) plays tight defense. Photo by Gareth Patterson of AP Photo
On Wednesday night, the Utah Jazz (6-2) faced the Dallas Mavericks (3-3) in the first of a three-game road trip.
Before tip-off, Dallas kept an eye on the history involving Luka Doncic. Doncic is the first player to score 30+ points in six straight games to start a season since Michael Jordan in 1986. While Doncic looks to join the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Utah looks to continue this unprecedented start to get their seventh win of the season.
Only Up From Here
Utah’s first quarter went as great as a team could ask for. Perfect from the free throw line (5/5) and shooting 50% from the field (12/24.) Jordan Clarkson (22/5/8) got off to a hot start with seven points to lead Utah. Doncic continued to pick apart Utah’s defense as he had six assists by the end of the first quarter. Through the valiant effort, Utah finished the quarter with a 35-23 lead.
(1) Utah Jazz on Twitter: “JC ➙ JV #TakeNote https://t.co/vLxqjr77AO” / Twitter
After an explosive first quarter, Utah struggled to shoot the ball in the second. Utah shot 7/10 (70%) within the perimeter but managed to miss every shot from beyond (0/7.) Dallas didn’t shoot much better, going 2/12 (16.7%) from beyond the perimeter and 8/12 (75%) within. Utah scored a lackluster 15 points in the second quarter, the lowest they have scored for a quarter this season. Doncic clearly was on a roll finishing the first half with 18 points as Dallas surged back trailing 50-47.
Reliving the Playoffs
Perimeter shooting woes switched teams as Utah went 4/8 (50%) and Dallas went 0/5 (0%.) With Dallas’ shooting woes, Utah continued to match Dallas point for point. With neither team able to dictate the pace of play, Utah outscoring Dallas 28-27, Utah went into the final quarter with a 78-74 lead. Clarkson continued to get his name engraved in Utah Jazz history as he passed Mehmet Okur on the all-time made three-pointer list putting him in the eighth spot on the list.
Per Utah fashion, the final quarter came down to the final seconds. Christian Wood (21 points, 10 rebounds) was crucial to the Dallas resurgence. Consistently beating Utah in the paint and getting second chance opportunities behind a phenomenal performance from Doncic (33/5/11.) After the 9:03 mark in the fourth, Utah had to fight from behind to grasp the win. With 29 seconds left in the game, Utah trailed 103-100. Dallas had the ball and took off as much time on the clock as they could. Spencer Dinwiddie (20/4/5) was given the ball and took a step-back shot with four seconds left on the shot clock. After Collin Sexton got the rebound, Utah called a timeout with three seconds left in the game. Once the ball was advanced to halfcourt, the ball was inbounded to Clarkson. Clarkson missed the contested three which was rebounded by Malik Beasley (9/8/1) and tried to get a quick putback layup which ended up unsuccessful. Utah then failed to make a comeback and fell to Dallas 103-100.
What’s Next?
Utah will travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday in hopes of getting back to a winning tendency. The game will tip off at 8:30 PM on AT&T SportsNet.
The Hive Sports 
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