But who will stop the Jazz? After a series of victories against the two teams from Los Angeles, the formation of Salt Lake City started its “road trip” on the East Coast in the best possible way with a convincing success on the floor of the Hawks (119-125). Lauri Markkanen once again showed the way in this fourth success in a row.
Started on small offensive bases, after a first quarter better negotiated by the visitors (22-26), this match really unbridled after the first twelve minutes. With good passages from the players on his bench, the Jazz offered their biggest advantage of the game on a 3-point shot from Malik Beasley in the middle of the period (33-48).
Thanks to more interior presence, Atlanta managed to finish the first half more correctly, but still three possessions behind (54-63). The Hawks completely reversed the course of events in the third quarter by passing a 36-22 and turned in the lead at the start of the fourth quarter (90-85) after having known up to 10 points in advance . That is 25 points difference compared to the previous period.
But this series meeting will once again change sides. Author of the most offensive quarter (40 points), the Jazz will place a fatal “run” a few minutes from the end (100-111), taking advantage of the long distance address of the duo Malik Beasley – Lauri Markkanen as well as Mike Conley’s vision of the game, author of his best passing game since wearing this jersey.
At the same time, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray ran into the opposing interior defense without getting a whistle. Notably, the first city did not get the slightest throw…
Despite the big end of the game from De’Andre Hunter, who maintained hope, Atlanta had to settle for exchanging the baskets without making the necessary stops in defense.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Too many open 3-pointers for Jazz. Interestingly enough, both teams had the best 3-point defenses in the league. Their respective opponents were only shooting 32.6% from afar so far. But the Jazz blew the average of the Hawks. The latter had a hard time getting out on the shooters opposite, in particular the duo Malik Beasley – Lauri Markkanen who converted more award-winning shots than the entire Atlanta team. We will especially remember a majority of open shots obtained by the Jazz, in transition or on placed play. Atlanta hasn’t been as happy from behind the arc scoring and shooting much less from that distance.
– Utah remains at the top of its conference. The Jazz are symbolically the first team in the league to reach ten wins, along with the Bucks. After thirteen games, Rudy Gobert’s former team keeps control of its conference with two more victories than its many pursuers (Suns, Blazers, Grizzlies). Will Hardy and his men have the opportunity to further improve their record in Washington on Saturday before continuing with a second more delicate “back-to-back” evening, Sunday in Philadelphia.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Lauri Markkanen. What cleanliness in the final stat line! Perfect at free throws but more in difficulty to finish near the circle, the interior especially shone with his address at 3-points. He inherited many good shots generated by ball circulation from his team. On arrival, his best offensive mark of the season and already his 3rd game with 30 points or more. The Finn nevertheless finished with a -12 score.
✅ Clint Capela. The pivot has made a huge job in the racket, ending with his fourth double-double of the year. Evidenced by his ten offensive rebounds, almost as much as the entire opposing team. His playing time and his performance down, the pivot wanted to show that he deserved better than his 26 minutes spent on the ground.
✅ Walker Kessler and Malik Beasley. A counter on Trae Young and a dunk in “trailer” in stride: this action sums up the beautiful evening of the rookie pivot of Jazz and who shone in his hometown, without missing the slightest shot. His bench partner at the back was equally important with his six award-winning baskets, including four in the final period when the visitors made the difference. Overall, the men on the bench of the Jazz had much more impact on the score than those of the Hawks.
⛔ Collin Sexton. While the first two brought great energy, the substitute point guard did not find his rhythm at all and signed his smallest outing of the season.
THE FOLLOWING
Hawks (7-4) : reception of the 76ers the next night
Jazz (10-3) : trip to Washington, Saturday
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