Did Utah Win? 42nd edition: Jazz Outpace Indiana.
Welcome to the Lazy Utahn’s recap of the most recent Utah Jazz game. Do you want to talk to your friends about the game, impress them with cool stats, and act like you watch all 82 games like a true die hard even if you didn’t catch the big game last night? We got you covered in this simplistic breakdown of each topic that may arise from the latest Utah Jazz showdown.
Did Utah win?
For the sixth consecutive time, I can say, yes Utah won!
The Jazz dismantled the starless Indiana Pacers to the tune of 132-105, behind a 72-53 second and third quarter advantage.
Utah held on in the 4th behind massive games from Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton.
This is the first six game win streak for the Jazz this year, the longest win streak of Coach Hardy’s young career, and the first time a streak of this magnitude has occurred in Utah since 2021.
Indiana may have a couple of key injuries such as All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, and perimeter stopper, Bruce Brown, but don’t let you feel any less exited about the win.
If the new and improved Jazz are believed to be truly legitimate, then beating banged up teams by double digits is a good way of helping add to the narrative.
The Pacers were a respectable 10-8 on the road coming into this game, and despite the injuries, Indiana is still technically the best scoring team In the NBA at 125.6 a contest.
I would add this to the folder of solid victories this season.
The Jazz have been riding higher than anyone in the association, and a team like Indiana certainly has the potential to ruin the good vibes. Sexton, Markkanen and the fellas didn’t allow it to be so.
Utah now sits a half game out of the 8th seed in the West, currently occupied by Phoenix.
Utah moved ahead of the Lakers, Rockets, and Warriors by at least a game and a half.
If you’re feeling extra optimistic, the Jazz are only two and a half games away from the Kings, Mavericks and Pelicans, all of which are currently locked in a three-way tie from the 5th seed to the 7th.
The climb continues! Hurrah! You mentioned some big-time performances huh?
The Jazz had two thirty-point scorers last night with Lauri Markkanen notching 32 points and Collin Sexton dropping 30.
Interestingly enough, despite the star-studded players Utah has had in the past, it’s been a long time coming since something like that had happened with this type of consistency.
The players, and the offense is firing on all cylinders, as the Jazz have scored 130 or more 4 times during this six-game streak.
Markkanen scoring the basketball has never been a surprise, but the way Lauri has scored it as of late has been.
Lauri is growing when it comes to finding ways to score the ball. He has become less dependent on set shots and transition buckets via his teammates finding him, and more reliant upon himself.
In the NBA there is a fine line in becoming too reliant upon oneself, but it is essential to be able to create, attack and score on your own accord when options are limited as opposed to forcing a contested shot.
We are seeing Lauri attack, drive and get downhill more often than ever before (take up more time with the ball) and the results have been fantastic.
In the last two games, Markkanen has scored a total of 61 points. Only 15 of those have been from downtown behind a 50 percent three point in 10 tries.
20 of those points have come from the charity stripe. This may be the biggest development.
On the season Markkanen gets to the line about 5.5 times a game. Prior to this winning streak, Lauri had attempted ten or more free throws one time this year.
In the last four games, Markkanen has shot 38 free throws total, with games of 12, 11 and 10 attempts.
Lauri is forcing players to make business decisions and attacking the rim with force resulting in a score or free throws. Either way, Lauri is finding new ways to put the ball in the hoop.
Collin Sexton continues to make Jazz reevaluate their thought process. From “what can we get for Collin Sexton on the trade market” to “this is a cornerstone player”
This guy is not the same player he was, and the changeup has been absolutely insane to watch in real time.
From shot selection to assists to turnover ratio to efficiency, Sexton has improved his game in practically every facet.
His passion has never been questioned, but fans have witnessed the label of “raw talent” get shredded to just say “talent.”
His thirty-point outing last night was just another massive step in the right direction for Sexton.
Oh ya, and it happened in 24 minutes.
That’s 5 straight games where Collin has recorded as many or more points as total minutes played.
The little things, the 5 assists the 3 rebounds, the poise on the offensive side, and just pure hustle on the perimeter make Collin one of the most fun players to watch on a night-to-night basis these days.
This is such an absurd turnaround from earlier this year, pinch me, I must be dreaming.
No dreams here my friend. This type of basketball seems sustainable.
Now, I wouldn’t expect 6 more straight wins, losing will return in some capacity but don’t expect to see the same type of Jazz you witnessed months ago.
If you want to keep feeling dreamy, look at Keyonte George’s 19 points, 5 assists, and 3/7 three-point shooting.
The young man continues to impress when he takes the floor.
Jordan Clarkson netted 17 despite not hitting a triple.
Simone Fontecchio scored 8 behind two triples and had 4 boards.
John Collins posted 10 points and six boards.
Kris Dunn had 4 points with a team high six assists.
Walker Kessler had 4 points on 2 attempts to pair with 5 rebounds. Kessler was a major rim protectant VS Indiana with 5 big time blocks, singlehandedly blocking more shots than the entirety of the Pacers team.
Ochai Agbaji was 1 of 4 for his 4 points, but his defensive effort was once again worth the watch as Agbaji helps anchor down that perimeter in his time throughout. Now if only the shot could fall.
Kelly Olynyk was the only rotation player to go less than 20 minutes (16:43) and had 4 points on 3 shots with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Indiana didn’t have a single player score more than 15 points.
Buddy Hield and Andrew Nembhard both had 14 points to lead Indiana.
If you feel like Utah is taking it easy though, guess again. Coach Hardy, like all great coaches do, still expect more from his team as he seeks a tightening up in the locker room.
Dude, show me a highlight.
I got two for you here. With two Jazzmen hitting 30 plus, check out how both Collin Sexton and Lauri Markkanen got there:
What’s the Stat of the day?
Let’s be petty.
Who’s on tap?
Steph Curry and the slumping Warriors come to town this Wednesday the 17th.
Tip off is set up for 7:00.
The streak could extend to 7 for the Jazz, while Golden State looks to avoid their third straight loss.
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