by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Darron Cummings of AP Photo.
The Utah Jazz (2-6) takes on the Indiana Pacers (4-3) ion hopes of turning the tides back in Utah’s favor.
Larry Bird Central
From the tip-off, things did not look to be in Utah’s favor. Allowing Indiana to start the game on a 7-0 run in the first two minutes of the game. Utah showed they would not back down without a fight early responding with a 12-0 with the help of Jordan Clarkson (33/3/5) who accounted for 11 of Utah’s first quarter points. Bennedict Mathurin (22/9/4) wouldn’t let Utah get too comfortable shooting 3/5 (60%) from the field and 2/3 (66.7%) from the perimeter. Mathurin’s production from the perimeter was equivalent to Utah as a team shooting 2/7 (28.6%). After two impressive streaks to start this game, this game was tied 29-29 at the end of the first.
With the resent news of Walker Kessler being out for at least two weeks with an elbow injury, Utah head coach Will Hardy began experimenting with new lineups early. One of the biggest adjustments and potential headscratchers for Utah fans is extended minutes for Simone Fontecchio (10/5/1). Before this matchup, Fontecchio had been shooting 10/21 (47.6%) from the field and 5/14 (35.7%) from the perimeter. Coming in for his first minutes of the second quarter, he came in hot shooting 4/5 (80%) from the field and 2/3 (66.7%) from the perimeter. Even with Fontecchio coming in hot, Myles Turner (22 points and 6 rebounds) was able to capitalize on the absence of Kessler. Turner finished the half shooting 7/10 (70%) from the field and accounting for 20 of Indiana’s points in the first half. With a larger emphasis on powering through to the basket, Indiana was able to get to the free throw line consistently, shooting 9/11 (81.8%) from the line in the second quarter. With all the additional tripes to the line, free throws helped propel Indiana to a 67-60 lead at the half.
The Greatest Spectacle in Basketball
After toning it down in the second quarter, Clarkson made sure that Indiana couldn’t forget him. Shooting 5/9 (55.6%) from the field while accounting for 13 of Utah’s third quarter points, Utah also put emphasis on their perimeter defense ion the second half. Indiana making it very clear that they would attack the paint without a true center to guard them, they tried to use that as a decoy to try and get open perimeter opportunities with a drive-and-kickout. This tactic didn’t work out for Indiana as they shot 1/10 (10%) from the perimeter in the third quarter. After having a near silent first half, Tyrese Haliburton (16/6/13) showed up in the second half ready to score. Accounting for 14 of Indiana’s third quarter point, Haliburton shot 5/8 (62.5%) from the field and a perfect 4/4 (100%) within the perimeter. Having both teams treating this quarter as a shootout, tensions were growing high as Utah trail 101-98.
Along with Hardy trying out new lineups, Hardy gave the fans what they wanted after incredible performances from Keyonte George (7/2/9). Not only was this his first career start but this also came on his 20th birthday. Finishing the game with a TO/AST ratio of 9.0 is a blessing for Utah fans as their two other ball handlers in Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker (6/4/5) combined for 10 assists and 10 turnovers. After scoring 38 points in the third quarter, Utah looked to be gassed as time began to run out. Shooting a lackluster 7/23 (30.4%) from the field and a very limited 1/4 (25%) from the perimeter. Indiana’s depth was able to finesse on Utah’s fatigue as they ran away with the game as Utah takes their third straight loss, 134-118.
What’s Next
Utah will play their inaugural in-season tournament qualifier game against the Memphis Grizzlies (1-7) to end their four-game road trip on Friday.
The Hive Sports 
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