by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Megan Nielson of Deseret News
The Utah Jazz (13-19) takes on the Miami Heat (19-12) for the first time to wrap up 2023.
305 to 801
In the first quarter, Miami and Utah were trading shots. Both teams tried to continuously attack the paint but struggled to find a rhythm from the perimeter. Miami shot 3/9 (33.3%) from the perimeter while Utah shot 2/12 (16.7%) while both teams shot over 60 percent inside the arc. Though there wasn’t much to be proud of on either side, Kris Dunn (2/1/6) getting his seventh start of the season started off hot. In his first eight minutes Dunn had two points, four assists, three steals and a block. Performances like this is why Utah fans want to see Dunn on the floor more consistently. Though Dunn showed his versatility, it was quickly overshadowed by Tyler Herro (25/6/6). Shooting 4/5 (80%) for the quarter, Herro easily was the most reliable player on the court for Miami. After trading baskets for 12 minutes, Utah finished the quarter trailing 28-27.
In the second quarter, perimeter was less forgiving than the first quarter for both teams. Miami shooting 2/8 (25%) from outside the arc while Utah shot 1/9 (11.1%). As turnovers began to rack up for Utah, Ochai Agbaji (1 block) made a critical error misreading a cut that ended up being intercepted. Herro drove down the court in transition looking as if he had an open lane, but Agbaji sprinted down the court to get the emphatic chase down block. This block brought some newfound momentum for Utah, especially for Collin Sexton (22/2/5). Sexton shot 5/6 (83.3%) from the field while shooting a perfect 4/4 (100%) inside of the arc including some heavily contested drives towards the basket. Miami’s Bam Adebayo (28/16/3) matched Sexton’s energy also shooting 4/5 (80%) from the field. With neither juggernaut giving in, Miami kept the slight lead of 54-53 at the half.
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In the third quarter, both teams managed to make the free throw line their home. Miami shooting 13/14 (92.9%) from the line with Adebayo shooting more than half going 7/8 (87.5%) and Utah shooting 12/15 (80%) with Simone Fontecchio (12/7/2) leading the way going 3/6 (50%). Jimmy Butler (8/2/1), who was listed as questionable before the game with a calf injury, ended up leaving the game with a foot injury near the end of the quarter. Even without the heroics of Butler Miami was able to score a game-high of 35 points to tie up the game at 88-88 going into the final quarter.
In the final 12 minutes, the quarter belonged to Keyonte George (21/6/2). After shooting 2/5 (40%) from the field in the first three quarters, George shot 4/5 (80%) from the field including 3/4 (75%) from the perimeter in the fourth quarter. George who had been shooting near 30 percent from the perimeter this season, shot 5/8 (62.5%) in the game, tying George’s career-high in made three-point shots in a game. On top of George’s perimeter shooting, Utah shot 6/10 (60%) from the perimeter in the fourth quarter while putting an emphasis on the perimeter defense holding Miami to 0/6 (0%) in the quarter. Miami began to make their way back into this one with less than three minutes left with the help of free throws. Miami shot 9/12 (75%) from the line but the momentum shifted once Haywood Highsmith (4/6/1) collided with Sexton on an inbound played putting Highsmith in concussion protocol.
What’s Next
Utah will ring in the new year against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
The Hive Sports 
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