Jazz Guard Jordan Clarkson Throws Lob, Lauri Markkanen Finishes
Feb 25, 2023, 8:39 PM
Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a dunk against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center on January 07, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz fans may have forgotten the first-half struggles for a moment after Jordan Clarkson hit Lauri Markkanen for an alley-oop dunk.
The Jazz (30-31, 1oth in West) are hosting the San Antonio Spurs (14-46, 14th in West) at Vivint Arena on Saturday, February 25.
Some people like PB & J
Some people like a jab and a cross
I like Clarkson and Markkanen#TakeNote l @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/FJtZrcsNM4— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) February 26, 2023
After a Spurs miss, rookie Ochai Agbaji pulled down the rebound and immediately got the Jazz on a fast break. On the other end, Jordan Clarkson showed his developing play-making ability by lofting a perfectly placed pass to a trailing Markkanen for an easy dunk.
In just his second game in Utah, Kris Dunn leads the Jazz with 11 points, four rebounds,road trip and six assists in the first half. No other Jazz player has double-figure points.
San Antonio took a 65-55 lead into halftime.
RELATED: Jazz Host Slumping Spurs After Overtime Thriller
Spurs Look To End 15-Game Losing Streak
The Spurs are amid their worst stretch of the season having lost 15 straight games dating back to January 20.
The contests haven’t been particularly close with the Spurs losing by an average margin of 15.5 points per game.
Final from Dallas. Off to Utah to finish up the Rodeo Roadtrip✈️ #PorVida | @FrostBank | #ad pic.twitter.com/WSGx29pNsi
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 24, 2023
The Jazz represent the final two games of a nine-game road swing as part of the Spurs annual rodeo road trip.
RELATED: Markkanen, Kessler Carry Jazz Past Thunder In Overtime
San Antonio hasn’t played in a front of a home crowd since February 3 in a 137-125 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The two teams will play Saturday and Tuesday before the Spurs return to San Antonio where they will play eight of their next nine games.
The Jazz are coming off a thrilling overtime victory at home on Thursday over the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-119.
UPDATED Jazz Injury Report (as of 2/25):
*AVAILABLE – Kelly Olynyk (right ankle sprain)
AVAILABLE – Rudy Gay (nasal fracture)
OUT – Collin Sexton (left hamstring strain)
OUT – Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 26, 2023
The Spurs lost their first game out of the All-Star break after falling to the Dallas Mavericks 142-116.
RELATED: Utah Jazz Center Kessler Matches Career-High In Blocks, Sends Game To Overtime
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Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs Broadcast
The Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs 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.
