Conley, Mudiay Point Way To Jazz Victory

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Jazz point guards played superbly in Utah’s 110-96 victory over the Clippers. Mike Conley broke out of his shooting slump in a big way and Emmanuel Mudiay showed off his passing prowess in the win.

Conley turned this game into a blowout in the 3rd quarter. He scored 12 of the Jazz’s first 16 points on a floater, a jump shot, two 3-pointers and a couple of free throws.

“I think early in that third quarter, you know, you hit one and hit two, and you just kind of feel it going,” said Conley, who scored 29 points, dished out 5 assists and also had 2 steals. “You feel the energy from the crowd, the team, you know, the teammates, and it’s like, this is the game (that he broke out of his shooting slump).”

📸📸📸 pic.twitter.com/lHrkdlCeHw

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 31, 2019

His confidence was soaring a few moments later, nailing two more 3’s. He finished with 18 points in the period. He was serenaded with chants of his name as he walked to the bench for a time-out.

“I’ve never experienced that before. You know, 13-years of playing basketball and especially on October 30th. You know, that was unique. It was special. I could tell. (The fans) were feeling like I was…they were waiting and had a lot of energy built up and just emotional.”

Conley was later shown on the big screen and fans broke out into another cheer. He showed off a sheepish smile. He had every reason to smile after shooting 11-17 from the field and 5-8 from the 3 point line.

The lefty leader also helped to quell a Clippers run in the 4th quarter with a 3-pointer midway through the period and a perfect lob pass to Rudy Gobert for a dunk.  

Conley’s backcourt mate also had a good game. Donovan Mitchell shot 10-17 for the field and finished with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

📹| Spida with 24 points #TakeNote ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/o5RbKm87A3

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 31, 2019

You could almost tell it was going to be a good night for Conley when his first assist led to the first basket of the game and then nailed his first two shots.

Mudiay was not going to be outdone early. He also nailed his first two shots, but it was his dishing that was delightful. 2 of his 3 first quarter assists led to 3-point field goals and he had 2 more assists a few minutes later at the start of the 2nd quarter. So why was Mudiay so successful?

“Just making plays. Everybody was in the right spots,” Mudiay said.

Mudiay finished the game with 8 points and 5 assists. He saved the majority of his praise for the guy that he usually replaces in the game when Mudiay enters the game. Mudiay even mentioned that Conley switched things up before today’s game, but told the media they needed to ask the veteran leader about the changes.

“They tried to pull me off the (practice) court this morning,” Conley said. “I was going to keep shooting it. They said save (the shots for tonight), but I told them I needed to keep shooting…My teammates were all behind me. Emmanuel…is always in my ear. Coach pulled me aside and said ‘Just be you.’ I played like myself and that’s what we all envisioned.”