Gobert, Mitchell Ejected As Jazz Fall To Pacers

SALT LAKE CITY – Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and Joe Ingles were ejected in the Utah Jazz 111-100 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Frustrated by the Pacers’ physicality all night, emotions spilled over when Gobert and Pacers center Myles Turner got into a shoving match late in the fourth quarter leading to a slew of ejections.

Mitchell finished with 26 points while Gobert added 19 as the Jazz All-Stars were outdueled by the Pacers Malcolm Brogdon who finished with a season-high 30 points on the night.

First Quarter

Mitchell opened the game showing why he deserves to be discussed as one of the 15 best players in the NBA. The guard knocked down his first four shots from the field, including 3-3 from the three-point line while dishing out two assists in the opening minute.

The All-Star scored or assisted on 16 of the Jazz’s first 18 points of the game.

.@spidadmitchell from near the LOGO 👀🕷🏀#TakeNote #INDvsUTA https://t.co/6kLeRsezsw

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 12, 2021

However, the Jazz struggled to get back on defense against the Pacers who were surprisingly spry after playing in Indiana last night.

The Pacers knocked down 4-8 from three continuing the Atlanta Hawks trend on Tuesday of shooting 50 percent or better from three. After one, the Jazz trailed 32-30.

Second Quarter

The Pacers’ size was been difficult for the Jazz to combat, especially on the defensive glass where Indiana has 11 offensive rebounds to the Jazz two at the break. Overall, the Jazz were outrebounded by the Pacers 37-18 in the first half.

Their size, plus the aggressiveness from TJ McConnell also made it difficult for the Jazz to run their bread and butter pick and roll.

🏔 Mountain Mike 🎙
💪 Gobzilla 🦖#TakeNote #INDvsUTAhttps://t.co/5ulxIkVXMB

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 12, 2021

After Mitchell opened the game well on the offensive end, the Jazz looked lackadaisical on the offensive end hoping someone else would make a play. As a team, they’re shooting 47 percent from the floor and 35 percent from the three-point line, but have seven giveaways.

At the half, the Jazz trailed the Pacers 60-51.

Third Quarter

Frustrated by the Pacers’ physicality, Gobert was pulled early in the second half after getting his shot blocked and pricing up a technical foul.

Jazz coach Quin Snyder opted to run with reserve Hassan Whiteside starting at the 9:33 mark of the third quarter.

.@rudygobert27 keeping the @utahjazz in the game with 11 points in the third quarter. 😤#TakeNote #INDvsUTAhttps://t.co/xifjVGcsTI

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 12, 2021

It turned out to be a smart move as Gobert returned to the floor playing more motivated than he had earlier in the game. The two-time All-Star scored the final 11 points of the quarter for the Jazz keep the Pacers lead at just eight entering the final period.

After three, Indiana led the Jazz 85-77. Malcolm Brogdon led all scorers with 28 points through 36 minutes.

Fourth Quarter

The Pacers continued to frustrate the Jazz through the fourth quarter resulting in a fight between Gobert and Myles Turner.

Gobert had his shot blocked and the two crashed to the floor after the Jazz center pulled Turner to the ground. When the two started back down the floor, Turner bumped Gobert resulting in both teams getting into a shoving match under the Jazz basket.

Things got a little heated during #INDvsUTA. 😳#TakeNote #NBA #NBATwitterhttps://t.co/zGTowSJgsx

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 12, 2021

When it was all said and done, Turner was ejected for the Pacers while Gobert, Mitchell, and Joe Ingles were tossed for the Jazz.

The Jazz fell for the first time at home 111-100.

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