Jazz At 76ers: Game Thread

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Welcome to the KSL Sports Game Thread as the Utah Jazz look to end the first half of the regular season with a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Jazz have lost two of their last three games on to open their road trip, but can secure momentum heading into the hiatus with a victory over the 76ers.

Philadelphia meanwhile is just 5-5 in their last 10 games and is fighting to hold onto the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a win.

Follow this page throughout the night for updates on pregame quotes, starting lineups, and highlights and thoughts during the night.

Feels like the outcome of tonight’s game is going to go a long way towards @UtahJazz fans confidence heading into the All-Star break.

Does tonight have a bigger meaning?

https://t.co/CtwNrNAEmu

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 3, 2021

Pregame Quotes

With just one game remaining before the All-Star break, 76ers coach Doc Rivers was asked about what he expects from his team in their last regular-season appearance.

“I don’t know if I look for anything one way or the other,” Rivers said. “It’s just another game in a long season, but it’s typically a hard game for both teams.”

Last season Miami came into Utah on the last game of a long road trip before the All-Star break and despite building a five-point lead at halftime, quit in the second half and lost by 15. That same Miami team won the East eight months later.

There will be a lot read into this game between the two top teams in their conferences, but the results may not be a strong indicator of the second half of the season.

Starting Lineups

𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄 𝐆𝐎#StartingLineup | @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/8gYG4o9pAF

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) March 3, 2021

Tonight's starting five:

• @DGreen_14
• @tobias31
• @JoelEmbiid
• @sdotcurry
• @BenSimmons25#HereTheyCome | @RothmanOrtho pic.twitter.com/OMm6sbfaA6

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 3, 2021

First Quarter

• After getting the first bucket of the game the Jazz give up an 8-0 run.
• Great start for Donovan Mitchell who has 8 straight points of his own.

Nice start for both teams as the @utahjazz lead the @sixers 14-12 midway through the first quarter.

Donovan Mitchell leads all scorers with 8, but Bogdanovic is close on his heads with 6. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/EGCsmc25sO

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2021

• 76ers defense has looked awful considering they have two DPOY frontrunners.
• A lot of good ball movement in the first quarter from all of the Jazz ball handlers. Pretty basketball.

The @utahjazz call a timeout but lead the @sixers 23-18.

A lot of good ball movement in the first quarter from all of the Jazz ball handlers. Pretty basketball.#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/XCBAuuoJA7

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2021

• Jazz have been hampered by slow starts recently so this is a good sign in Philadelphia.
• Jordan Clarkson banks in a three, that has to be a bad sign for the 76ers who saw him score 40 the last time these two teams played.

Terrific first quarter for the @utahjazz who lead the @sixers 34-26.

Donovan Mitchell leads the Jazz with 10, and Gobert had 3 assists.

Good basketball. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/eLqlDwvsfo

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2021

Second Quarter

• The 76ers aren’t finishing possessions well either allowing late baskets to fall or giving up second chance points.
• Jazz scorching hot and lead 43-30 early in the second thanks to a 5-0 run from Mike Conley.
• This is the best the Jazz have looked so far on this road trip.

The @utahjazz are scorching hot and lead 43-30 early in the second thanks to a 5-0 run from Mike Conley.

This is the best the Jazz have looked so far on this road trip. #takeNote pic.twitter.com/QjikKGxUP4

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2021

• Georges Niang’s knowledge of what to do with the ball between 7-15 feet is really important.
• We talk about his three-point shooting but he’s a weapon in that awkward in-between space that defenses are happy to give up.

The @sixers trim the @utahjazz lead to single digits and Quin Snyder calls a timeout.

The Jazz lead Philly 46-37 with 6:42 left in the half.

Joel Embiid has 12 points to lead all scorers. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/ntKu6g38F6

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2021

• The Jazz ball movement has ceased and they look to be targeting Tobias Harris in some iso situations.
• Truthfully I think they’re just trying to stay away from Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle, and Shake Milton who has been aggressive early.

Third Quarter

• 76ers trim the Jazz lead to just four but a three from Mitchell gives the Jazz some breathing room.
• Jazz extend the run to 7 and lead by 11. Nice answer early in the third quarter.

After the @sixers cut the @utahjazz lead to 4, a 7-0 rebuilds it to 11 at 72-61.

Jazz continue to cook form three and have made 12-23 from deep. #takeNote pic.twitter.com/L9UuzqWKSj

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2021

• Philly gets some good looks after their timeout and see a three finally drop and now the Jazz lead by just three.
• Jazz have had an answer all night can they figure it out here.
• Big sequence as Joe Ingles gets away with a foul against Embiid and it results in a three for Royce O’Neale. Big swing.

At the end of the third quarter, the @utahjazz lead the @sixers 89-84.

The Jazz continue to find answers to Philadelphia's runs. Can they do it for 12 more minutes?#takeNote pic.twitter.com/IBs0fGLUd2

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2021

Fourth Quarter

• After the Jazz open the quarter with a three, Philly goes on an 8-0 run and this game is tied at 92.
• Embiid and Royce O’Neale are back in the locker room for their teams.

The @sixers have knotted this game up at 92 with 10 minutes left.

Jazz getting outscored 8-3 to open the quarter. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/1fTO0Cr64o

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2021

• A lot of contact going uncalled against the 76ers defense.
• Embiid and O’Neale both back in the game.
• One of Donovan Mitchell’s best games this season. He’s not trying to win it by himself, but his patience and willingness to pick his spots has been huge.

Donovan Mitchell hits a huge three to give the @utahjazz a 109-107 lead over the @sixers with 3:36 left in the game.

He leads all scorers with 31 and has been the best plyer on the floor. #takeNote pic.twitter.com/Psky5KSJCn

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2021

• Jazz hit their 20th three on a corner deep ball from Bogdanovic. Big shot.
• Joel Embiid hits a huge three with 7 seconds remaining to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Overtime

• Referees have a really tough time sorting this game out and have ruined all rhythm.
• Mitchell gets ejected after two technical fouls with 28 seconds left.
• Jazz didn’t execute well in overtime, but the refs really killed the enjoyment in this game.

The @utahjazz fall to the @sixers 131-123.

Jazz outscored 13-5 in overtime.

Joel Embiid was brilliant and had 40 points and 19 rebounds.

Jazz got 1-3 to close their road trip before the All-Star break. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/5yaYFj4rvh

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2021

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