by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Scott G Winterton of the Salt Lake Tribune
The Utah Jazz (4-8) takes on the Phoenix Suns (6-6) in a quick revenge game before they go on a two-game road trip.
It’s Getting Hot in Here
Unlike their previous matchup, Utah started off the game with the positive 7-2 run looking like they ready to prove their roster is better than their record. Even with an early jump for Utah, this didn’t affect Nassir Little (10/3/2) in his first few minutes adding a poster to his collection. After that play, Utah seemed to forget how crucial rebounding is for the rest of the quarter. This realization became apparent for an entire minute as Utah allowed four total rebounds (one defensive and three offensive) in a single possession. After an unexpected eight-point first quarter outing from Talen Horton-Tucker (25/4/3), Utah was able to tie things up finishing the quarter with a 30-30 score.
The second quarter wasn’t kind for Utah. Though their scoring inside the arc was just fine at 10/20 (50%), their perimeter shooting was an abysmal 1/9 (11.1%). The only three for Utah didn’t come until the final minutes of the half from Horton-Tucker. Even with the perimeter shooting not being there for Utah, Keyonte George (7/5/11) was able to still keep the ball moving. Accounting for five of Utah’s 11 assists for the half, George continued to feed their true scorer Lauri Markkanen (38 points and 17 rebounds) while still accounting for the rest of the guys on the floor. Even with Utah managing to try and keep things close with Phoenix shooting 13/26 (50%) with the help of Kevin Durant (39/8/10). Durant’s ability to command the offense at will in the first half, Phoenix went into the half with 61-56 lead.
The Roof, The Roof, The Roof is On Fire
Third quarter began to look like a turnaround for Utah defensively. Utah head coach Will Hardy kept having heavy double-team pressure applied to Durant that led to well executed traps and turnovers. Though Utah’s defense was holding Phoenix to 6/18 (33.3%) from the field, it forced Phoenix to the line a little too much. Shooting 9/10 (90%) from the line to Utah’s 12/12 (100%), the free throw line was the savior for both teams. With the large number of trips to the free throw line, tensions grew on both benches to the point where the referees had to warn both coaches to watch their tone or they may receive technical fouls for their back talk. The questionable calls on both ends of the floor continued but the chatter from the benches simmered down, but Utah was able to come back within one, 85-84, going into the final quarter.
Going into the fourth quarter, Utah had to think strategically how they were going to approach their rotations. With both Horton-Tucker and Kelly Olynyk (6/5/5) having four fouls, it made the rotations a little out of sync. Sure enough, Hardy wanted to stick to his rotations and kept Olynyk in and paid for it. Almost three minutes into the fourth quarter, Olynyk picked up his sixth and final foul leaving a major gap in their rotation. John Collins (15 points and 12 rebounds), who had been struggling up to this point, found rhythm in the fourth, but not defensively. Jusuf Nurkic (18/12/2) looked as if he were toying with Collins in the paint. Nurkic would continue to pump fake since Collins would jump them either create contact or get the easy bucket. The final seconds had the same pressure as a playoff game but after a missed three from Devin Booker (26/5/8), Durant tried to get a put back bucket as time expired and missed. In the first regular season Sunday home game in 22 years finishes 115-115 at the end of regulation.
FREE BASKETBALL!!!
Out the gate, Utah was wanting to play overly physical to start overtime. The referees weren’t buying it and allowed the players to play on through contact. Utah went back to their zone defense and Phoenix was able to exploit that quickly. Eric Gordon (20/5/6) who had been open on the wing most of the game, finally made Utah pay for their lacked coverage hitting a three nearly three minutes into the extra period. Gordon became the lifeline for Phoenix as he was sent to the free throw line with seven seconds left in the game with Phoenix up 126-125. Gordon went 1/2 (50%) from the line leaving the door open for Utah to put the game in their own hands. George took it upon himself to try and send the game into double overtime but missed the layup. As the crowd held their breath, Collin Sexton (18/5/2) was able to cut to the paint or the putback layup as time expired with a score of 127-127 at the end overtime.
MORE FREE BASKETBALL!!!
Double overtime was a period for players to show they’re willing to tough it out for their team. Utah leaned on Collins and Markkanen to bring the well fought win to Utah and bring momentum on their side. After a layup by Markkanen to put Utah down 138-137 with 27 seconds left in double overtime, Phoenix put the fate of the game in Durant’s hands with a contested three but missed. George got a quick foul on Booker with less than a second left in the game. After Booker made both free throws, Utah took a timeout to progress the ball to halfcourt. The inbound pass landed in Markkanen’s hands and he put up a three as time expired. The referee called a foul on the shot, but Phoenix head coach didn’t the call and had the play challenged. Several minutes of deliberation between the referees led to the controversial conclusion that the ball was blocked and everything was considered marginal. The call means that Utah fell to Phoenix 140-137.
What’s Next
Utah will go on the road to take on the Los Angeles Lakers for their final In-Season Tournament Group game.
The Hive Sports 
Leave a Reply