After two big setbacks, in Milwaukee then Cleveland, the Jazz took advantage of this trip to Detroit to regain color with an easy victory (126-111) built after the break. After crossing paths with Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, Will Hardy’s players found Bojan Bogdanovic, and the Croatian struggled, especially on fast play, to respond to an already on fire Lauri Markkanen. The Finn scored 16 points in the first quarter to allow the Jazz to take control (31-24).
But Detroit does not bend and it is Jaden Ivey who makes the difference. With his aggressive drives and his address from afar, the Pistons rookie bursts the first curtain of the Jazz. Under the panels, Jalen Duren swallows everything that drags, and Detroit signs a 14-0 to pass (42-41). Markkanen does try to respond but the young Pistons unfold with a relay from Kevin Knox and still Ivey (49-46). Moment chosen by Jordan Clarkson to get out of his box. The former best 6th man in the NBA scored nine points in a row, and Utah joined the locker room with a small point lead (61-60).
On returning from the locker room, Markkanen resumed his festival from afar, but this time, Bogdanovic no longer followed. Under the panels, Jared Vanderbilt takes over, and Utah breaks away (83-76). Ivey, again, resists but the Jazz have more solutions in attack. Clarkson insists, and it is Malik Beasley who supports him to pass the 10-point lead (95-83).
The Jazz have the game well in hand this time, and Markkanen is responsible for putting his team to safety with new distant missiles, but also complicated shots at mid-distance to pass the 20-point lead (119-98 ). The “garbage time” is on, and the Jazz wins 126-111 in a meeting that allows it to stay in the positive.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The 3rd quarter. As against the Nets, the Pistons cracked on returning from the locker room. The problem is mainly defensive with players not aggressive enough, especially on outside shooters. The Jazz have evolved a lot in “horseshoe” with five players off, and the Pistons have not been able to adapt.
Duren as Howard. For the 7th game in a row, Jalen Duren takes 10 or more rebounds. It’s the longest streak by a 19-year-old since Dwight Howard in 2005.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Lauri Markkanen. The Finn equals a personal best (38 points) and he beats another with 9 3-point successes. By hitting the target quickly from a distance, he opened the game. A simple feint, and presto, the path to the basket opened wide. Isaiah Stewart and Marvin Bagley are going to have nightmares.
✅ Jarred Vanderbilt. It is the ideal interior to evolve alongside Markkanen. He reads the movements of his teammates well, and he has a small arsenal of shots near the circle to make the difference.
✅ Detroit Rookies. The leaders had a fine nose in selecting Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. The first is an aggressive, elegant and fast attacker. His first step is formidable. As for the second, he jumps all over the paint and he could become a real bully with his trigger. On the other hand, his wide defense is average.
⛔ Isaiah Stewart. Killian Hayes was not folichon, but Stewart weighed down his team more. In defense, he took on water against Markkanen, and in attack, he watered from afar (0 of 5 at 3-points).
THE FOLLOWING
Detroit (8-25) : back-to-back in Philadelphia.
Utah (18-16) : Thursday reception of the Wizards.
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