Jazz Vs. 76ers: Game Night

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Welcome to KSL Sports Game Night as the Utah Jazz host the Philadelphia 76ers on the final night of a four-game homestand.

The Jazz have won seven games in a row, and 18 of their last 19 dating back to January 8.

The 76ers meanwhile are on the final stop of a four-game Western Conference road trip. After beating the Sacramento Kings to open the trip, Philadelphia has suffered back to back losses to the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns.

The Jazz own the best record in the NBA overall at 22-5, while the 76ers own the best record in the Eastern Conference at 18-9.

Follow this page throughout the night for updates on coaches’ quotes, starting lineups, and thoughts and highlights throughout the game.

The @utahjazz have won 18 of their last 19. The @sixers have lost their last two games and wrap up a four-game west coast road trip in SLC on Monday.#TakeNote https://t.co/Vyu1vtDK4C

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 14, 2021

Coaches Quotes

With Mike Conley missing his sixth consecutive game with hamstring tightness, the Jazz have relied on guard Miye Oni to fill spot minutes behind Donovan Mitchell. Snyder said even without the injury, the team would have liked to have been able to develop depth throughout the season in case of an emergency.

21 threes and not done yet@PrinceOni13 🎯 pic.twitter.com/iuIlDZoPB5

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) January 13, 2021

“I think opportunities to play guys are really important,” Snyder said. “They don’t always present themselves. But, all of us know than in a typical NBA season those windows present themselves.”

Snyder pointed to current players within the Jazz rotation that were in a similar situation to Oni before finding regular minutes.

“Miye can look at Royce [O’Neale], you can look at Joe Ingles, you can look at Georges [Niang] and see that the professionalism and the work ethic, the team-first mentality is something that’s appreciated.”

Oni’s defensive prowess and hustle have provided a nice spark for the team for short stretches since Conley’s injury.

Joel Embiid will play tonight according to Doc Rivers.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 16, 2021

The Philadelphia 76ers should be at full strength tonight when they face the Jazz. After initially being listed as questionable, Doc Rivers said All-Star center Joel Embiid will play against the Jazz.

“He’s going tonight,” Rivers said. “I didn’t know there was an issue. So, as far as I know, he’s going.”

However, right before tip the team announced Embiid was out with back tightness.

Starting Lineups

The REAL starters for the @utahjazz and the @sixers. pic.twitter.com/m4G8oDZsf1

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 16, 2021

First Quarter

• All Ben Simmons early, he’s got 10 points to match the Jazz through the first five minutes. The problem is the rest of the Sixers also have 10 points, so they lead the Jazz 20-10.
• Sometimes there’s good shot-making and sometimes there’s bad defense and right now this is bad defense from the Jazz.
• The Jazz have hit four threes in a row, but still trail by 9 because they can’t get any stops.
• The Jazz have to stop going over these picks above the three-point line. 76ers are getting downhill every time. I get they’re making shots, but they’ve only attempted 2 threes. Can’t let them shoot over you at 5 feet every trip down the floor.

The @UtahJazz have hit five threes in a row and still trail by 9 because the @Sixers are 14/17 from the floor in the first quarter.

Jordan Clarkson has 12 points, Ben Simmons has 15 for Philly. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/gNsFufjE7v

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

• Both teams finish the quarter with hot shooting. Sixers are 16/22 from the floor while the Jazz are 7/13 from three.

At the end of the first quarter the @utahjazz trail the @sixers 42-35.

Extremely hot shooting from both teams in the opening quarter.

Philly is 16/22 from the floor, while the Jazz are 7/13 from three. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/PukYFPaf1w

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

Second Quarter

• The Jazz continue to connect on threes in the second quarter. Overall they’re 9/16 from deep, and trail the Sixers 46-45.
• Philly is -8 in four minutes without Simmons on the floor.
• Dwight Howard is killing Derrick Favors.

The @utahjazz take a 57-55 lead despite the fact that the Sixers have only missed 13 shots in 19 minutes because the Jazz are ridiculous.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 16, 2021

• The Jazz have another 10-o run, helped in part by Favors who had a much better stretch after Howard checked out of the game.
• Jordan Clarkson is up to 19 points to match Simmons in points in the first half.

Fun basketball between the @utahjazz and the @sixers.

The Jazz defense has clicked in and they lead Philly 61-59 with 2:54 left in the first half.

Sixers have only attempted 5 threes, while the Jazz are 9/21 from deep. #takenote pic.twitter.com/T4PTtNBDu8

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

• Story of the game at the half. Jazz have allowed Philly to attempt just 6 threes. Also, Ben Simmons had just 2 points in the second quarter after a 19 point first quarter, which is kind of the whole Ben Simmons experience.

At the half the @utahjazz lead the @sixers 72-66.

Great offensive performances from Jordan Clarkson and Ben Simmons who each have 19 for their teams.

Going to be a fun second half. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/UpwDrPbJjx

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

Third Quarter

• Sixers open the half struggling to contain the Jazz pick and roll, lots of fouls early.
• Jazz have built a double-digit lead.

The @utahjazz have built their lead to 11 thanks to some poor defense by the @sixers.

Jazz have scored 11 points in under four minutes and are getting to the rim with ease.

Jazz up 83-72 with 8:11 left in the third quarter. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/YXbU3x4028

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

• Donovan Mitchell has been in his bag in the third quarter, a nice fake on Simmons opened up an easy three, then hit a tough one-foot fadeaway.
• Mitchell is up to 21 points and Clarkson has 22 for the Jazz with 5:04 left in the third.

Another casual 20 point outing from Donovan Mitchell who has 21 points with 5:04 left in the third quarter. @utahjazz lead the @sixers 91-82 thanks to their backcourt, and strong defense against Philly's shooters. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/fpN4CiicXp

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

• Rare near platoon sub for Quin Snyder who brings four new players onto the floor and the Jazz immediately turn it over. Hard to bring in four cold players.
• Gobert hurt his hand on the missed dunk attempt/foul. But he’s not a very good free-throw shooter anyways so I don’t know if it matters.

At the end of the third quarter the @utahjazz lead the @sixers 106-94.

Jordan Clarkson has a season-high 32 points with 12 minutes left to play, he's been nearly perfect. #Takenote pic.twitter.com/IgWhNlZmz8

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

Fourth Quarter

• Ben Simmons has a career-high 38 points.
• Meanwhile Clarkson has hit 25 minutes and looks gassed, which is my threshold for him.

Ben Simmons is up to 40 points and the @utahjazz offense has gone stagnant.

Jazz lead the @Sixers 110-102 with 8:40 left in the fourth quarter, Jazz have to find some scoring. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/wEvp87jKce

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

• 10 of the 76ers 34 rebounds have been offensive.
• Royce O’Neale is really an incredibly good low post defender.
• Clarkson hits a huge three but he looks like he’s running on fumes. He can barely keep his head up.
• O’Neale was brilliant in the fourth quarter, hit three huge threes.

The @utahjazz win!

They beat the @sixers 134-123.

Three enormous threes from Royce O'Neale sealed the deal in the fourth.

Jazz sweep their four game homestand and have won 19 of 20.

Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 40. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/PEuvrMgrKj

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021