Utah Jazz Rest Jackson Jr., Markkanen Late, Still Beat Heat

At first glance, Bam Adebayo delivered a strong outing against the Jazz, posting 23 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in Miami’s loss.

A closer review, however, shows how impactful Jackson Jr. was in defending the Heat star.

During the first 2.5 quarters — the stretch when Jackson Jr. remained in the Jazz rotation — Adebayo scored nine points and grabbed nine rebounds.

After Jackson Jr. subbed out with 6:12 left in the third quarter, Adebayo produced most of his offense.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is a reminder that the NBA is a size/talent-driven league.

Sometimes it just comes down to being large and being able to make shots. pic.twitter.com/HScfN8F7CU

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 10, 2026

He recorded 14 points and two rebounds over the final 18 minutes of Monday’s game, ending with a respectable stat line but largely padding his numbers against the Jazz’s inexperienced second unit.

That’s no fault of Adebayo, who doesn’t need to hold back just because Jazz coach Will Hardy chose to play young players over veterans. But it underscores how effective Jackson Jr. was in Miami.

The Jazz forward wasn’t perfect, shooting 7-for-19 from the field and 2-for-7 from 3 while adding five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Still, he significantly outplayed his All-Star counterpart in 25 minutes.

If Jazz Are Trying To Lose, Nobody Told Miami

The Jazz may not have pushed aggressively to win Monday’s game, sitting Jackson Jr. and Markkanen for the entire fourth quarter, but the Heat apparently didn’t get that memo.

The Jazz entered the fourth with an 85-82 lead and extended it, winning the final quarter 30-29 over Miami.

The Heat played shorthanded without Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, both significant members of the roster. However, they were still outclassed by what should have been an inferior Jazz rotation over the closing 12 minutes.

Bam Adebayo: “We’ve got to find a way to win against teams that are, I guess you can say, trying to lose.”

— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) February 10, 2026

Veterans Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jaquez played the entire fourth quarter, while Adebayo logged the final 7:38, and still, the Heat couldn’t overcome the Jazz.

Miami shot just 6-for-13 from the free-throw line in the final period, including a difficult 2-for-7 from Wiggins and Adebayo.

The Jazz leaned on Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski, and Brice Sensabaugh, each scoring eight points in the fourth and combining to shoot an efficient 8-for-15.

Some Jazz fans may bemoan the unexpected win, but the team got help elsewhere from other franchises clustered near the bottom of the NBA standings.

The Brooklyn Nets beat the Chicago Bulls 123-115 to stay within two victories of Utah, while the New Orleans Pelicans routed the Sacramento Kings 120-94 for their 15th win.

The Jazz’s win in Miami to close the five-game road trip may not have been the outcome the franchise hoped for, but the Nets and Pelicans helped lessen the pain.