Phoenix, Feb 28 (U.S.): The Utah Jazz are in good health, taking powerful hits and reasserting themselves as a powerhouse for the Western Conferences.
Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Rudy Gobert added 16 points and 14 rebounds, and the Jazz stayed hot with a 118-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns, the NBA leader, according to the Associated Press.
“We have a lot of talent, it’s hard to lose when we play like this,” Gobert said.
Utah won eight of nine to move up to 38-22. Phoenix, who is 49-12, lost back-to-back games for the first time in two months. Before the two losses, the Suns won by eight consecutive points and 19 out of 20.
Utah State has been a bit inconsistent this season, but is playing well now that its deep roster is mostly healthy. Jordan Clarkson scored 22 points in a 10-of-17 shot—part of a second Utah unit that played well and edged out the Phoenix bench 43-11.
This is the second impressive consecutive win for the Jazz, who also beat the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. Jazz coach Quinn Snyder said the team’s deep and selfless roster allows him to be more creative with substitution patterns and allow hot hands like Clarkson to stay grounded in important situations.
“We have a group that is willing to accept that,” Snyder said. “…it’s really important and I think it’s extraordinary.”
The Jazz used a 16-3 run late in the third quarter to gain a 94-89 advantage before the fourth quarter. It stayed tough throughout most of the final minutes but the Jazz managed to hold their lead, aided by a 3-in-banked Mitchell pointer with 1:50 remaining which put them up to 10.
Jazz Shot 17 of 40 (42.5%) from 3 point range. Mitchell made six of them.
“More than wins, it’s our way of thinking,” Gobert said. “The way we compete defensively and the way we play offensively together, is really the thing that we can shake off. When we play like this we will be in great shape every night.”
Devin Booker led the Phoenix team with 30 points. Cameron Johnson and Dender Eaton added 23. Phoenix had a chance to equalize in the last seconds, but Jay Crowder threw the ball out of bounds.
Suns coach Monty Williams took the blame, saying it was his fault because he had not heard him temporarily, but Crowder said it was his fault, too.
“I have to be better in this situation,” Crowder said. “I must know time possession, timeout status, etc. I am the veteran of this team. I am a veteran basketball player. I must know what to do and what not to do in this situation.”
Phoenix has played its past three games without All-Star goalkeeper Chris Paul, who broke his thumb on February 16 and could miss the rest of the regular season. The Suns have a 1-2 record in those games.
The Suns went up to a 60-56 lead in the first half after falling behind for most of the second quarter. Eaton scored 17 points on 8 of 10 shots before the break, while Mitchell scored 11 for jazz.
Hints
Jazz: G Rudy Gay played on Sunday after missing the previous six games with a sore right knee and a non-COVID illness. …Gobert had a season-high eight offensive rebounds. … Joubert blocked three shots.
Sun: Made 10 of their first 11 shots, scored 24 points in the first six minutes of the first quarter. … J. Aaron Holiday is back after missing one game with a sprained ankle. …welcome the crowd of his eighteenth consecutive sale to the Footprint Center. …Phoenix despite shooting lost 51% of the field, 46% of 3-pointers and 81% of free throws. … Ayton was 11 of 15 from the field.
next one
Jazz: In Houston on Wednesday night.
Suns: The host is Portland on Wednesday night.