Jazz Down Mavericks Thanks To Mitchell, Bogdanovic

SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points while Bojan Bogdanovic added 25 points and the Utah Jazz outlasted the Dallas Mavericks 120-116 for a Christmas night victory.

Jalen Brunson and Kristaps Porzingis each scored 27 points for Dallas but their effort came up short against the more experienced Jazz roster.

With the win, the Jazz moved to 23-9 on the season and own a three-game win streak.

First Quarter

The Jazz had one of their slowest starts of the season against Dallas, finding themselves trailing by as much as 16 points in the opening minutes of the game.

Kristaps Porzingis abused the Jazz with Luka Doncic out, helping put the Jazz in foul trouble, and getting the Mavericks to the free throw line nine times in the opening frame.

Rudy Gobert took a special moment to wish @utahjazz fans a Merry Christmas at half court before facing the @dallasmavs. #TakeNote #NBAXmas https://t.co/yoGUkunM5g

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 26, 2021

Mike Conley led the Jazz with nine points while Bojan Bogdanovic added seven.

After one, the Jazz trailed the Mavericks 34-25.

Second Quarter

The Jazz opened the second quarter on a 14-4 run to take a one point lead over the Mavericks thanks largely to back to back to back threes from Jordan Clarkson and Conley.

Mitchell also did the majority of his first half scoring in the second quarter recording 16 of his 21 points in the period.

Spider. Christmas. Hammer.

🕷️🎄🔨#TakeNote #NBAXmashttps://t.co/PVvRmMjTxm

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 26, 2021

The Jazz led by as much as eight, but a late run from the Mavericks to close the half trimmed the lead to just two.

At the break, the Jazz led the Mavericks 65-63.

Third Quarter

Like the first quarter, the Jazz started the second half slowly and watched the Mavericks rebuild their lead.

Dallas was comfortable using their two big lineup of Moses Brown and Kristaps Porzingis understanding the Jazz wanted to keep Royce O’Neale on the more agile Porzingis, who took the smaller forward into the post for easy baskets at the rim.

⭐️ 1 RT = 2 VOTES ⭐️@kporzee | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/5SW4Hsbjqe

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 26, 2021

However, a late push from the Jazz second unit helped the Jazz erase the lead and tie the game heading into the final quarter.

After three, the Jazz and Mavericks were tied at 90.

Fourth Quarter

The Jazz used a handful of stellar defensive players early in the fourth quarter to rebuild their lead against Dallas.

Joe Ingles blocked a jump shot while Mike Conley recorded a steal on a would-be Mavericks fast break to slow Dallas’s scoring and send the Jazz on a 9-1 run to build a 99-94 lead early in the quarter.

A 9-1 run from the @utahjazz has given them a 99-94 lead over the @dallasmavs with 8:57 left in the game.

The fans are up on their feet late on this Christmas night. #takenote #NBAXmas pic.twitter.com/ERgxfeEVMj

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 26, 2021

Clarkson’s efficiency dropped off throughout the game, but he never let it affect his energy and that was key for the Jazz, especially in the second half.

Despite shooting just 4-13 from the floor for 12 points, his hustle plays made him a +22 on the night in a game when the Jazz really needed him.

Brunson did his best to keep Dallas close in the fourth, scoring 27 points to lead the Mavericks along with Porzingis, but ultimately it wasn’t enough as the Jazz won their Christmas night game 120-116.

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