by Alma Bean
Feature Image: Photo by Rick Bowmer of AP Photo.
The Utah Jazz (30-31) takes on the plummeting San Antonio Spurs (14-46) try to avoid extending their losing streak to 16 games.
From the Alamo to the Arches
The opening quarter did not look pretty for Utah. San Antonio, who is last in the league in three-point percentage, started off the game going 3/3 (100%) and breaking out to an early 11-2 lead forcing Utah head coach Will Hardy to take a timeout two minutes into the game. Utah on the other hand couldn’t make a shot from beyond the perimeter shooting 0/4 (0%) for the quarter. Even with just 14 wins under their belt, San Antonio was able to shoot 50/50/100. Behind Malaki Branham (13/6/1) who had seven points, he was able to help create a 33-24 lead to finish the quarter.
Utah Jazz on Twitter: “DOK U N K #TakeNote https://t.co/dxFINcnFcV” / Twitter
The second quarter started off a little feisty as Kris Dunn (15/7/8) and Jeremy Sochan (22/6/2) both got physical and were both given technical fouls at the 10:55 mark. After starting the game off 0/7 (0%) from the perimeter, Utah was able to wrap up the quarter shooting 3/6 (50%) thanks to Dunn, Ochai Agbaji (14/3/1), and Kelly Olynyk (9/8/2). Utah was even to find production from Simone Fontecchio (11/1/1) who scored six of his points in the quarter with four coming from the free-throw line. Even with a great fight from Utah in the second quarter, San Antonio outscored Utah 32-31 and went into the half with the lead of 65-55.
Is 16 Out of Reach?
After the half, Utah locked things down on defense. Holding San Antonio to 6/24 (25%) shooting including 0/9 (0%) from the perimeter. Utah started off the quarter on a 13-4 and it was downhill from there for San Antonio. Being outscored 30-14 for the quarter, San Antonio tried to put the ball in Keldon Johnson‘s (18/7/3) hands but was only able to shoot 2/6 (33.3%) from the field. Johnson’s performance was negated by Talen Horton-Tucker (12/6/4) as he scored eight points for the quarter while shooting 2/2 (100%) from the perimeter. After a great defensive showing from Utah, they were able to get their first lead of the game and finished the quarter with an 85-79 lead.
In the final quarter, Utah fans got to see the basketball plays that they’re used to seeing. Lauri Markkanen (27/4/2) showing why he’s a star in Utah shooting 5/6 (83.3%) from the field and 3/3 (100%) from the perimeter. Even with some defensive presence, after having just one block in the first half, Walker Kessler (9/12/2) was able to get four more in the second half. As a team, Utah shot 11/20 (55%) from the field after shooting 32/72 (44.4%) to that point. Continuously driving in the paint to challenge Zach Collins (15/5/2), Utah wanted to finish this game strong. With the flip of the switch at halftime, Utah outscored San Antonio 63-37 and came away with the win 118-102. This brings the season series to 1-1 and Hardy’s first win over his mentor Gregg Popovich since becoming a head coach.
What’s Next
Utah faces San Antonio once again at home, at the same time, and in the same place on Tuesday night before heading on their six-game road trip.