by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Rob Gray of USA TODAY Sports
The Utah Jazz (7-16) takes on the New York Knicks (13-9) for 80’s night.
Take A Chill Pill
This game started off with a scare for Utah fans. Keyonte George ended up getting a non-contact injury on his ankle three minutes in and shortly after it happened, he limped as quickly as possible to the locker room. On his way out, George slammed his hand on a table in the tunnel near the locker room in frustration that echoed through the arena. With Utah’s recent injury woes, they will be counting down the days till George’s return. Even with all of Utah’s big men healthy for tonight, they went with an unconventional starting lineup that New York took advantage of. Julius Randle (32/12/6) found his way in the paint play after play shooting7/8 () within the perimeter accounting for 14 points in the first quarter. Randle having success in the paint led to a comfortable 31-22 lead to end the quarter.
In the second quarter, Utah decided to kick things into gear. Lauri Markkanen (23 points and 8 rebounds), who had missed the last eight games due to a hamstring injury, scored the first eight points of the quarter for Utah. All of Markkanen’s shots in that sequence were assisted by Kris Dunn (10/2/7) who was filling in George who did not return to tonight’s game. Even with Utah being down by as much as seven points in the second quarter, Utah went on a 18-2 run led by Taylor Hendricks (5/4/1), Kelly Olynyk (9/10/8) and Collin Sexton (26/4/7). The only player that was making their shot consistently for New York in the second quarter was Donte DiVincenzo (21/7/1) who shot 2/3 (66.7%) from the field and accounting for seven of New York’s 19 points in the quarter. Now that Utah had found their rhythm, they managed to go into the locker room with a 52-50 lead at halftime.
Totally Tubular Half
The second half felt like a shootout from both teams as if this game decided the final playoff spot. New York went back to what was working which was driving to the paint shooting 9/13 (69.2%) with Jalen Brunson (23/7/8) continuing to attack. Though New York went back to familiar, successful territory, Utah played a slower pace and became methodical with their shot selection. Shooting 13/22 (59.1%) from the field including 5/7 (71.4%) from the perimeter, Utah focused on team play rather than individual success. Utah had eight different players score in the third quarter including Talen Horton-Tucker (15/4/3), who didn’t score his first basket till the third quarter. Both teams let shots rain as a combined 48 shot attempts were taken accounting for 71 points, Utah went into the final quarter with a slim 89-84 lead.
Utah looked to have been running away with the game to start the fourth quarter. Starting the quarter with a 10-0 run to put Utah up by 15 points, it seemed as if New York was ready to throw the white flag. The boys from Villanova, Brunson and DiVincenzo, weren’t willing to go down with a fight accounting for 22 of New York’s fourth quarter points with DiVincenzo shooting 3/5 (60%) from the perimeter. In the final two minutes, Utah was up by as much seven points and felt as if they were giving New York every opportunity to try to tie things up. Simone Fontecchio (15/6/2), who had a great defensive first half, committed two fouls in thirty seconds putting New York within three points with less than a minute left. After many free throws, many of which being missed from both teams and multiple missed open threes from New York, Utah came away with the win by the skin of their teeth, 117-113.
What’s Next
After a successful 80’s night with plenty of gnarly moments, Utah will need to put this win behind them quickly as they travel to face the Portland Trail Blazers tomorrow for their final matchup of the season.
The Hive Sports 
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