by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Charles Rex Arbogast of AP Photo.
The Utah Jazz (2-5) takes on the Chicago Bulls (2-5) looking to get back on the right track of this road trip.
Urbs In Horto
Starting off the game, Utah looked like they were ready to shoot whenever it was possible. Jordan Clarkson (7/1/6) came out firing but not in the best way. Clarkson shot 2/7 (28.6%) from the field and 1/6 (16.7%) from the perimeter. As a team, Utah shot 5/6 (83.3%) within the perimeter and 6/15 (40%) from beyond, seemed as if Utah wasn’t looking to exploit Chicago in the paint early. Chicago on the other hand, they leaned into DeMar DeRozan (21/5/4) to have them pull away. In the first quarter, DeRozan shot 4/5 (80%) from the field showing off his signature midrange ability. Though the shootout was back-and-forth throughout the first 12 minutes, Utah trailed 37-32 at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, Utah simply struggled to get shots. Shooting 8/17 (47.1%) from the field, the lack of shooting is one problem, but turnovers were their own struggle. By halftime, Utah collectively had 14 turnovers when they have been averaging just under 18 turnovers a game this season. Even Kris Dunn (3/5/3), who has proven to be a surgically sound point guard Utah, had two turnovers within a minute of each other before the nine-minute mark. Overall, the second quarter wasn’t a good showing of competitive basketball for Utah as they put up 20 points in the quarter. With the inability to shoot, Chicago was able to go into the half with a 66-52 lead.
All Aboard the L Train
To start the second half, Chicago looked to continue showing their dominance against Utah. Zach LaVine (24/2/3), who had 10 points in the first half, accounted for 12 of Chicago’s third quarter points. Shooting 4/6 (66.7%) from the field and 2/2 (100%) from the perimeter, his efforts looked flawless. After being down by as much as 20 points in the third quarter, Utah looked like their bench unit was ready to fight back late in the quarter. With the help of Ochai Agbaji (3/1/1), Keyonte George (5/2/4) and Kelly Olynyk (13/7/8), Utah was able to go on a 10-2 run to bring them within 12 points of the lead. Though confidence started leaning in Utah’s favor, Chicago was able to hold onto the lead going into the final quarter, 98-78.
In the fourth quarter, Chicago began to run away with the game if they hadn’t already. Shooting 11/20 (55%) from the field while still trying to limit Utah’s attempts on the defensive end. Something that Utah can take from this game is that Walker Kessler (15 points and 15 rebounds) is starting to look a little more like the Kessler fans saw last season. Though he’s still a little hesitant with his shot selection, Kessler went 1/2 (50%) from the perimeter while still attacking the boards and accounting for four blocks in the game. Even with Nikola Vucevic (10/8/4) guarding him the whole game, Kessler is showing signs of improvement of stretching the floor. After a valiant effort, Utah continued their losing streak as they fall to Chicago, 130-113.
What’s Next
Utah continues their road trip against the Indiana Pacers (4-3) looking to stop their three-game losing streak.
The Hive Sports 
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