Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers Cruise To Win Over Utah Jazz
Dec 19, 2022, 7:18 PM | Updated: 7:32 pm
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz fell on the road to the Cleveland Cavaliers in what was Donovan Mitchell’s first game against his former team.
Jazz fall to Cavs
The Cavaliers hosted the Jazz at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday, December 19.
Cleveland beat Utah, 122-99.
Donovan Mitchell is undefeated against the Jazz. pic.twitter.com/FO63MF9Kq9
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 20, 2022
First Half
50 seconds into the contest, Mitchell knocked down a shot for the first points of the evening.
RELATED: Cleveland Honors Former Cavs, Current Utah Jazz Players With Videos
After a Jordan Clarkson three-pointer, Mitchell responded with a 26-foot stepback triple to put Cleveland back in front, 5-3, with 10:02 left in the opening quarter.
The quick start helped the former Jazzman lead Cleveland to an eight-point advantage following the first quarter. Mitchell only played six minutes during the quarter but had a game-high 11 points in his first action against the first NBA team he played for.
We are just 6 minutes in and are quickly reminded how good Donovan Mitchell is.
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) December 20, 2022
After the slow start, Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen caught fire during the second quarter. The Finnish standout scored 15 of his 22 first half points during the second quarter.
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Without Markkanen’s effort, the Jazz would have been blown out before the break. Still, the Jazz found themselves down by 18 points at halftime.
Second Half
The Jazz stepped back onto the hardwood to start the third quarter and immediately went on an 8-0 run in the first two minutes of the second half.
Cleveland replied with an 8-1 run.
Jordan Clarkson did his best to try and cut into the Cavs’ lead by scoring 10 points in the first 12 minutes of the half. Clarkson’s big quarter led the Jazz to their best quarter of the night. However, Utah’s poor defense propelled the Cavaliers’ offense and Cleveland outscored the Jazz by a point in the quarter.
Over the final quarter, the Jazz were unable to make up any ground on the scoreboard. Midway through the fourth quarter, Jazz head coach Will Hardy emptied his bench and got some playing time for some of Utah’s youngest players.
Markkanen had only two points in the second half and finished the game with a game-high 24 points on 7-12 field goals. He added six rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 32 minutes.
Clarkson added 23 points on 21 shot attempts.
Walker Kessler was the only other Jazzman to reach double figures in scoring with 11 points.
Walker Kessler 🔨 as @utahjazz trail Cavs at the break#TakeNotehttps://t.co/Xgx90249KC
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 20, 2022
Cleveland had seven players score in double-digits, including all five starters.
Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 23 points on 8-12 field goals, including 4-5 from downtown. He added two rebounds and one assist in 23 minutes.
The way Donovan Mitchell crawls through webs of defenders is special.
Watch 🕷️ on NBA App: https://t.co/l0hlhlmrQi pic.twitter.com/lsKGOfxRQE
— NBA (@NBA) December 20, 2022
Up Next
With the loss, the Jazz fell to a 17-16 record this season, including 6-11 away from Vivint Arena.
Utah’s next game is on the road against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, December 20 at 5 p.m. (MDT). The game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
Detroit defeated Utah at Vivint Arena in November.
