John Collins keeps a hand on his head, not wanting to believe it, while Kevin Durant displays a satisfied smile, with a hint of relief that we can guess. The referees have just “validated” the victory of the Suns on the Jazz floor (137-140), after a “challenge” won by Frank Vogel.
The officials finally estimated that the leader of the Suns had countered, without committing a fault as initially whistled, Lauri Markkanen on his attempt to equalize at the buzzer, at 3-points. There will be no third overtime in Salt Lake City. The actors of this second confrontation in three days had already offered 58 minutes of great spectacle, with its share of twists and turns, to the fans of Salt Lake City.
If the visitors managed to gain around ten points in advance in the first period, the two teams did not leave each other after the break (56-61) where, most often, one possession separated one team from the ‘other. Under the leadership of these two bench agitators, Talen Horton-Tucker and Collin Sexton, the Jazz thought they could escape by giving themselves a seven-point lead a few minutes from the end (102-95).
Kevin Durant punishes but Jazz hangs on
This was without counting on the talent of Kevin Durant who, almost single-handedly, brought the Suns back into the game, both through his finishing and his pass-fixing, from which Jusuf Nurkic greatly benefited. One minute from the end of regulation time, “KD” signed a marvelous “fadeaway” on one foot, to which an opportunistic Lauri Markkanen, author of a huge double-double, responded near the circle.
No time-out for the Suns, Devin Booker, author of 22 of his 26 points after the break, inherited a shot at the buzzer which shattered on the board (115-115). Extension, the first. This extra time was marked by the sudden resurgence of skill from Eric Gordon, author of eight consecutive points.
Failing to be skillful in the game, Jordan Clarkson responded by increasing his attacks towards the circle. With 40 seconds left, Kevin Durant, again, scored a contested winning shot, resembling a “dagger”.
But the Jazz continued to hang on and, despite the free throws, managed to equalize on a tap from Collin Sexton who was hanging around, a bit like Lauri Markkanen five minutes earlier. Similar scenario in the second overtime where Phoenix started by distancing itself before being caught. Particularly thanks to a prize-winning basket from John Collins, who redeemed himself from having missed an unmissable dunk in this period.
We will have to wait until the very last second to finally know the winner until this foul at the buzzer from Kevin Durant which was not a fault…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The “challenge” of winning. “ It was ridiculous to whistle that. I knew I blocked the shot and I knew I didn’t hit it at all. But that’s the game. The action happened quickly for her (editor’s note: the referee), so I’m sure she wanted to see her again and make the right decision. I’m glad they were able to call Secaucus (editor’s note: Replay Center) and the matter is settled. ” Such is Kevin Durant’s reaction on this contentious end of the meeting. The referee in question, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, initially considered that the Suns winger had touched the Finn with his fingertips. After reviewing the images, the officials reversed this decision, much to the chagrin of the Jazz player. “ I was getting ready to shoot three free throws », Reports the Jazz player.
– Offensive rebound festival. Although the Jazz were deprived of their best offensive rebounder, Walker Kessler, they delivered a festival in this area: 27 offensive rebounds, almost as many defensive rebounds as the opposing team! It’s simple, all the players who came into play on the Utah side caught at least one. Like Collin Sexton’s tap at the buzzer of the first overtime, these second chances really hurt the Suns.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
