by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Isaac Hale, Freelancer from the Associated Press
The Utah Jazz (4-11) takes on the New Orleans Pelicans (9-7) in their first meeting of the season.
Same But Different
Before tip-off, the starting lineup looked like a statement being made by Utah head coach Will Hardy. With three of the starters receiving their first start of the season, Hardy is putting out a message that if you want to play, prove it. Shooting numbers may not back up this claim in the first quarter as Utah went 8/26 (30.8%) from the field along with seven turnovers. Even with the overabundance of turnovers, Omer Yurtseven (6 points and 7 rebounds) managed to be a bright spot for Utah’s starting unit. Biggest momentum shift that Yurtseven was a part of was after Keyonte George’s (15/6/5) third turnover of the quarter, Dyson Daniels (6/6/5) looked to have an easy transition dunk. Yurtseven sprinted down court to get the chase down block leading to a putback layup from Kris Dunn (8/3/2).
After starting the first quarter 4/7 (57.1%) from the field, Jordan Hawkins (25/6/3) managed to cool down after looking like the second coming of prime Ray Allen. Even with Hawkins shooting 2/5 (40%) in the second quarter, Utah struggled to capitalize on his cold streak. Reaching 17 turnovers for the half and shooting 7/18 (38.9%) from the field, Utah managed to only score 21 points in the quarter. After what could be considered a lackluster quarter from both teams, Utah went into the half trailing 53-43.
The Start of Something New
Even though he was a force to be messed with in the first half, Brandon Ingram (26/6/8) took it upon himself to put New Orleans on his back. After shooting 5/8 (62.5%) in the first half, Ingram shot 3/7 (42.9%) accounting for a third of New Orleans attempts and makes for the quarter. Though Ingram was having a bit of a cold streak to start the second half, Jose Alvarado (13/4/3) was able to help with the slack from the perimeter shooting 2/3 (66.7%). Alvarado managed to give New Orleans momentum on both ends of the ball and killing any hope that Utah would have in the third and with his presence New Orleans went into the final quarter with a 77-68 lead.
The fourth quarter became a reemergence of Walker Kessler (11 points and 11 rebounds) and Collin Sexton (16/3/6). Shooting for a combined 7/9 (77.8%) from the field and 2/2 (100%) from the perimeter from Sexton, Utah found their second wind of energy to propel them to the finish line. A 14-6 run from Utah in the final minutes of the quarter made this game feel like it was easily won, but a basket from Herbert Jones (13/1/1) put the game within one possession. A quick foul put George to the line, putting the game in the rookie’s hands. In a dramatic finish George made both free throw attempts to give Utah the 105-100 win to end their four-game losing streak.
What’s Next
New Orleans will get a quick revenge game against Utah on Monday as they celebrate 70’s night.
The Hive Sports 
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