Utah Jazz Survive Second Quarter Three Point Barrage In Portland
Jan 25, 2023, 9:11 PM
Malik Beasley of the Utah Jazz high fives teammate Jordan Clarkson (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers combined to shoot 68 percent from deep in the second quarter as Portland takes a 66-64 lead into the break.
The Jazz (25-25) are hosting the Portland Trail Blazers (22-25) at Vivint Arena on Wednesday, January 25. It is the second of three games between the two franchises this season.
can we get a 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻??? pic.twitter.com/ijtqv3mSIf
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 26, 2023
Utah knocked down a scorching 58.3 percent from deep in the second quarter, making 7-of-12 shots from three.
Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton lead Utah with a trio of threes each. Former Weber State star Damian Lillard made 6-of-8 first half three-point attempts to lead all scorers with 26 first half points.
RELATED: Jazz Look To Continue Hot Streak In Portland
Despite the hot shooting, Portland took a 66-64 lead into the break after making 10-0f-13 from deep in the quarter. Cementing the wild shooting in the quarter, Portland’s Nassir Little beat the halftime buzzer with a three to give the Blazers their two-point lead.
Jazz Hitting Stride Before All-Star Break
Despite trade rumors swirling about several players on the roster, and fatigue setting in before the All-Star break the Jazz are playing some of their best basketball of the season.
The Jazz are 5-2 in their last seven games and own the fourth-best net rating in the NBA over the stretch.
🎷 Jazz on the road tonight vs @trailblazers
Listen live at 8: https://t.co/OExdEAiY8o
Follow @BensHoops for insight and analysis. pic.twitter.com/YB1LWeQEZI
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 25, 2023
While the Jazz own the fourth-best offensive rating in the NBA this season, it’s been their defensive improvement that has carried them in recent weeks.
The Jazz have seen their defensive rating climb to ninth-best in the league during their recent hot streak, up from 25th for the year.
RELATED: Kessler Climbs Near Top Of NBA Rookie Rankings
Kelly Olynyk is unavailable for the eighth consecutive game due to an ankle injury suffered against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 8.
Trail Blazers Desperate For Wins
After playing above .500 basketball through the first three months of the season, the Trail Blazers have had a miserable January.
Portland is just 4-8 since ringing in the new year and has slipped from the eighth seed in the West to 12th, three games back of .500.
The Trail Blazers are in the midst of an important six-game home stand which has gotten off to a rocky start, dropping two of their first three games.
The NBA standings through Jan. 24!
📲 https://t.co/6FlAliik3X pic.twitter.com/McVJKTZcvd
— NBA (@NBA) January 25, 2023
The recent down streak comes at a difficult time for the Blazers who face significant pressure to decide the direction of their franchise before the trade deadline.
The team could be buyers at the deadline, looking to make up the gap between themselves and the rest of Western Conference playoff contenders, or begin exploring options to begin a rebuild.
Utah Jazz Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Broadcast
RELATED: Subscribers Can Now Watch Jazz Games On AT&T SportsNet App
The Portland Trail Blazers and Portland Trail Blazers game is being televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
