Markkanen Scores 40, Jazz Fall At Home To Trail Blazers
Mar 22, 2023, 9:28 PM | Updated: Mar 23, 2023, 9:29 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 127-115 despite a strong 40-point outing from Lauri Markkanen.
Four Trail Blazers scored at least 20 points, led by Damian Lillard who finished with 30.
With the loss, the Jazz fell to 35-37 on the season.
First Quarter
Lauri Markkanen got off to a quick start scoring eight of the Jazz’s first 13 points of the game.
As a team, the Jazz shot 6-11 from three including multiple makes from Markkanen, Rudy Gay, and Ochai Agbaji.
What a play from @MarkkanenLauri and @WalkerKessler13 👀#TakeNote #UTAvsPORhttps://t.co/EqiZZo0aoC
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2023
The Trail Blazers meanwhile shot just 3-11 from downtown but were led by Jusuf Nurkic and Shaedon Sharpe with eight points each.
After one the Jazz led Portland 34-29.
Second Quarter
The Jazz forced the Trail Blazers to take a quick timeout as they build their lead to eight early in the second quarter.
Portland responded with a 15-5 run to tie the game at 45 midway through the period.
They call him the FINNISHER 😤#TakeNote #UTAvsPORhttps://t.co/HjnKr5fKLG
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2023
Portland continued its surge, building its lead to as large as 15 in the final minute of the half thanks to a 24-6 run.
Markkanen had 23 points to lead the Jazz while Nurkic had 15.
At the half, the Jazz trailed Portland 68-54.
Third Quarter
Markkanen continued to carry the Jazz in the second half, upping his scoring total to 37 points.
Midway through the third quarter the Jazz used a 12-2 run to trim the Trail Blazers lead to five, 88-83.
Markkanen has 37 through three quarters 😳#TakeNote #UTAvsPORhttps://t.co/wPvXRT1gHL
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2023
Damian Lillard found his offense in the third quarter, and led Portland with 21 points.
Through three the Trail Blazers led the Jazz 91-88.
Fourth Quarter
The Jazz tied the game at 93, but Portland answered with an 11-3 run to take a 104-96 lead.
Portland built on its momentum jumping out to a 113-100 lead with six minutes left in the game.
Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 30 while Markkanen led all scorers with 40.
The Jazz fell to Trail Blazers 127-115.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
