Jazz Vs. Hornets: Game Night

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Welcome to KSL Sports Game Night as the Utah Jazz host the Charlotte Hornets in the first game of a two-game homestand.

The Jazz are coming off their first loss in 10 outs, having fallen to the Los Angeles Clippers 116-112 on Friday night.

The Hornets meanwhile are coming off a thrilling buzzer-beating win over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night thanks to a huge performance from guard Terry Rozier.

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

The @utahjazz must avoid a letdown game against Gordon Hayward the @hornets promising young backcourt. #TakeNote https://t.co/1CIkv27cqa

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2021

Pregame Quotes

Due to their 24-6 record, the Jazz have entered the conversation as one of the league’s true contenders. As a result, the focus on the team seems to be less so on the day-to-day ups and downs, but the overall goal of making a deep run into the playoffs.

Jazz coach Quin Snyder discussed why that might be the case before the game.

“When you find a team that’s got an identity, the work is really continuing to pound that identity,” Snyder said. “And that is a little bit of a bigger picture process.”

However, Snyder did add that the team was continuing to explore that identity on “a more granular level.”

🎶 Franchise-record 26 THREES for the @utahjazz…they've won 14 of 15 games! 🎶 #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/qFUk1r8Olb

— NBA (@NBA) February 6, 2021

Hornets coach James Borrego stressed that it’s important not to get into a three-point shooting contest with the Jazz. The last time these two teams met, the Jazz set a franchise record by connecting on 26 deep balls.

“We like threes, we’re going to take what the defense gives,” Borrego said. “We like threes but we don’t want to turn this into a three-point contest with Utah.”

Starting Lineups

Starting lineups for the @utahjazz and @hornets. pic.twitter.com/bLt9MrkQjT

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 23, 2021

First Quarter

• James Borrego before the game said the Hornets didn’t want to get into a three-point shooting contest with the Jazz and yet the first six shots of the game have been threes.
• Every shot the Jazz have taken in the first 4:30 has been a three. And thus every make has also been a three. Jazz open the game 4/8 from deep.

The @hornets rookie tried to dunk it with the two-time DPOY near the rim.🚫#TakeNote https://t.co/EK2UPXM8lG

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 23, 2021

• Hornets do a nice job of weathering the Jazz three-point shooting storm.
• It seems clear the Warriors and Timberwolves will always regret passing on LaMelo Ball.

After one, the @utahjazz and the @hornets are tied at 35.

LaMelo Ball leads all scorers with 10, while the Jazz got 8 points from Donovan Mitchell. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/bC0F7CxhAC

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 23, 2021

Second Quarter

• Jazz open the quarter on a 9-4 run and take a 44-39 lead. Jazz are winning the rebounding battle 16-10 which both coaches emphasized before the game.
• Good for the Hornets for rebuilding so well. Everyone killed them for not resigning Kemba thinking they had no choice but to do it, but they moved on and put together a far more interesting roster with way more potential.
• The Hornets are getting a lot of penetration against the Jazz defense. It was an issue against the Clippers as well.

A Gordon Hayward layup gives the @hornets a 49-47 lead with 6:46 left in the half.

He's got a game high 13 points. No @Utahjazz player is in double figures. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/H4Rytsld2B

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 23, 2021

• Either a lack of focus, or tired legs, or teams realizing that has to be a point of emphasis against the Jazz defense. Force a rotation, get a dump-off layup.
• Ball scored on Conley and gave him the mouse in the house sign. Have to like his moxie.

A 5-0 run to end the half allows the @utahjazz to cut into the @Hornets lead, but still trail 67-64.

Hayward and Ball have combined for 31 points, while Clarkson and Mitchell have scored 21 for the Jazz. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/ckXfcEm3uc

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 23, 2021

Third Quarter

• Hornets come out with their foot on the gas pedal and continue to run on every chance against the Jazz.
• Hayward has cooked the Jazz by getting into the paint and pulling up for mid-range jumpers.

The @utahjazz are in trouble at home. @Hornets are up 81-70 with 7:03 left in the third quarter and the Jazz look lost. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/cq2GyriFis

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 23, 2021

• Some good play from Mitchell and hot shooting from Joe INgles has brought the Jazz back into his game, they trail by just 4.
• Every time the Jazz feel like they can get some momentum the Hornets answer. Impressive performance from a young team.
• The Hornets started the play with six guys on the floor. That should be a violation, and now they are reviewing what happened.

A great push to close the quarter and the @utahjazz lead the @hornets 91-90.

Donovan Mitchel up to 18 points for the Jazz while Joe Ingles has 15.

12 big minutes ahead. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Cappb12RT7

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 23, 2021

Fourth Quarter

• The Jazz decided they were tired of the Hornets and absolutely crushed them to open the quarter.
• Jazz go on a 41-11 run, including a 20-2 run to open the quarter and lead by 19.

Well the @utahjazz decided they were tired of the @hornets sticking around and ended this game in a hurry.

The Jazz are up 111-92 with 8:31 left in the fourth.

Jazz are on a 41-11 run over the last 8:29. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/PWcrvQsqw5

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 23, 2021

• Credit the Hornets who didn’t fold and have again trimmed the Jazz lead to just 12 with five minutes left to play. Game not over yet.
• Mike Conley has played 26 minutes and is subbing back into the game. So I think it’s safe to say he is no longer on a minutes restriction.
• Jazz win 132-110.

The @utahjazz broke the franchise record for three-pointers made in a single game 3⃣ times this season.#TakeNote https://t.co/JQRycFi3pf

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 23, 2021