Jazz Get Christmas Day Win Over Portland, 110-87
Dec 25, 2018, 11:23 PM
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) gestures to the crowd as Portland calls a timeout as Utah Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers play an NBA basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018. (Scott Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Playing in their first Christmas Day game since 1997, the Utah Jazz rolled to a 117-96 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Seven Jazzmen finished in double figure scoring in the balanced victory over Portland, who the Jazz beat by 30 points just a few nights ago.
📹| A very merry W 🤗
Our #NBAXmas game highlights ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/esOW8vTAgw
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 26, 2018
After Slow Start From Three, Jazz Pick It Up
After the first quarter, the game was knotted up at 24-all. The Jazz went 0-for-8 from beyond the arc in the opening period.
However, starting with a three by Jae Crowder early in the second quarter, it was a different story for Utah’ deep shooting from then on. The Jazz made 5-of-7 attempts from 3-point land in that period while Crowder turned in 10 points in the period alone to give Utah a sizeable 59-47 halftime lead.
Giddy-up Jingles horse, pick up your feet 🎠#NBAXmas | #PORatUTA pic.twitter.com/6bfnbunS24
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 26, 2018
The Jazz continued to shoot well in the second half, led by Dante Exum. The Australian point guard went a perfect 6-for-6 in the second half and scored 13 of his 15 points in the final 24 minutes.
Gobert Shines On Big Stage
Rudy Gobert finished with a triple-double with 18 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots.
“We just wanted to come out and do what we do,” said Gobert after the game. “Play defense, as a team, get the win and that’s what we did.”
Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz in scoring with 19 points and had some spectacular highlight-show worthy dunks.
Exum and Ingles both finished with 15 points each.
Crowder turned in 12 points while Kyle Korver, who gave a pregame Christmas message to the fans, contributed 10 points.
Kyle Korver addresses crowd before #PORatUTA. Beautiful holiday message. #DoingGood #ThisIsWhyWePlay #TeamIsEveryThing pic.twitter.com/ruboMFtwmg
— Utah Jazz Doing Good (@JazzDoingGood) December 26, 2018
Damian Lillard, who showed up to the game with a lamp inspired by the one in A Christmas Story, had a game-high 20 points in the loss.
Next Up
The Jazz will stay at home to host the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday at 8:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
