by Alma Bean
Feature Image: Photo by Carlos Osorio of the Associated Press.
The Utah Jazz (17-16) takes on the Detroit Pistons (8-24) in their final game of a three-game road trip in hopes of getting their first win on the trip.
Motor City Magic
Though their shooting volume inside and outside of the perimeter was almost equal, Utah seemed to take off from three. Utah was able to shoot 6/11 (54.5%) from the perimeter while limiting Detroit’s ability to shoot the three going 2/6 (33.3%). Even with Utah being hot from three, their shooting woes from this road trip did carry over into Detroit. Shooting 5/14 (35.7%) within the perimeter, Utah’s glimmer of hope came from Lauri Markkanen (38/5/1) shooting 5/8 (62.5%) for the quarter. After a scary start to the road trip, Utah finished the quarter leading 31-24.
The second quarter belonged to Detroit on the offensive end. Near the midway point of the quarter, Detroit went on a 14-0 run and even depleted the seven-point lead Utah had to start the quarter. Jordan Clarkson (21/3/6) tried to make sure Utah kept the lead by putting the team on his back. Clarkson nearly shot lights out in the second quarter shooting 3/4 (75%) from the perimeter and 4/5 (80%) from the field. Utah didn’t put too much of a focus on interior shooting as they shot 5/6 (83.3%) but followed that with shooting 5/13 (38.5%) from the perimeter. Detroit leaned on their star rookie Jaden Ivey (30/4/5), who had 18 points at the half. Ivey’s effort brought Detroit within inches of the lead as they go into the half trailing 61-60.
Mo Town or Jazz?
Utah had their largest scoring quarter to start the second half. Though their perimeter shooting was down from the previous quarter going 4/10 (40%), scored 34 points on 13/26 (50%) shooting. Detroit put heavier input in the paint as they struggled to find a n answer from the perimeter in the third. Rookie Jalen Duren (15 points and 14 rebounds) went 3/4 (75%) from the field with all of his attempts coming near the rim. Utah ran away with the third quarter out scoring Detroit 34-25 and holding onto the lead 95-85.
In the final quarter, Utah continued its trend of scoring 30-plus points in each quarter. Markkanen continued to score at will to the point that he tied his career-high in points with 38 and didn’t even finish the quarter. At one point, Utah held a 21-point lead with a majority of their starters still on the floor in the fourth. That type of a lead led to Utah coach Will Hardy showing mercy and having the reserves go in under his own terms. Detroit continued to push the ball to score and did so effectively. Detroit outscored Utah 11-5 once the reserves we subbed in, but their effort resulted in a win from Utah 126-111.
What’s Next?
Utah returns home for the holidays as they wait to greet the Washington Wizards on Thursday night for their one-game homestand.
The Hive Sports 
Leave a Reply