Jazz Beat Grizzlies, Will Avoid Play-In Tournament
Apr 5, 2022, 9:46 PM | Updated: 9:53 pm
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert defends a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward Desmond Bane (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz knocked off the Memphis Grizzlies 121-115 and will avoid the play-in tournament with the victory.
Teamed with a Minnesota Timberwolves loss, the Jazz can no longer fall further than six in the Western Conference standings meaning they’re guaranteed a seven-game series to open the playoffs.
Rudy Gobert and Jordan Clarkson had 22 points to lead the Jazz while the Grizzlies got 28 points from Jaren Jackson Jr.
First Quarter
The Jazz jumped out to a quick start building a 13-3 run to continue their recent streak of taking early double-digit leads.
Bojan Bogdanovic found a solid rhythm in the quarter knocking down two first quarter threes to lead the Jazz with six points.
B🎯G3️⃣Y@44Bojan helps the @utahjazz hit the @memgrizz with an early 13-0 run. #TakeNote #MEMvsUTA https://t.co/NkRfNhYfOf
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 6, 2022
However, the Grizzlies were able to close the gap behind five points from rookie Ziaire Williams.
After one, the Jazz led the Grizzlies 24-19.
Second Quarter
The Grizzlies opened the quarter on a 13-9 run to close the Jazz lead to just four, before ultimately taking the lead 50-48 in the final seconds of the half.
After Jordan Clarkson’s buzzer-beater to end the first quarter, Rudy Gobert added a buzzer-beating dunk of his own on a lob from Mike Conley to tie the game at 50.
Big board by Spida. 🕷😤💪#TakeNote #MEMvsUTA https://t.co/wqReGp6KvX
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 6, 2022
At the break, the Jazz were led by Clarkson who had 12 points while the Grizzlies got 14 from Tyus Jones.
The teams were knotted up at 50 at halftime.
Third Quarter
The Grizzlies opened the second half on a 12-2 run to build a 62-52 lead thanks to strong offensive rebounding and points in transition.
The Jazz battled back however and retook a 79-78 lead with 2:20 left to play in the quarter inspired by Clarkson’s highlight-reel play.
👀 Wut, JC??? 👀#TakeNote #MEMvsUTA https://t.co/BRgB2rlnjm
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 6, 2022
After the Jazz led 82-78 in the final minutes of the quarter, the Grizzlies closed the period on a 5-1 run to knot the game up.
Through three quarters, the Jazz and Grizzlies were tied at 83.
Fourth Quarter
The Jazz came out in the fourth quarter with impressive energy and built a 91-83 three after multiple strong possessions from Danuel House Jr.
First, the wing converted a four-point play after drawing a foul on the Grizzlies on a made three, then following it up with a running alley-oop from Mike Conley.
🏠 with the 🔨#TakeNote #MEMvsUTA https://t.co/lSNCplTjbS
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 6, 2022
The Jazz lead climbed to as large as nine after a Hassan Whiteside dunk with 7:43 left to play, but the Grizzlies quickly closed the lead to just four after a 5-0 run.
The Grizzlies put the Jazz at the free-throw line 19 times in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz converted just 11 attempts which allowed Memphis to keep the game close.
Desmond Bane missed a potential game-tying three, but Kyle Anderson hit a game-tying put back to send the game to overtime with the team tied a 110.
Overtime
Memphis scored the first basket of overtime, but the Jazz answered with an 11-1 run to take a six-point lead in the final minute.
Rudy Gobert hit two big free throws late to finish the night with a 21 point, 21 rebound double-double to earn the Jazz the win.
The Jazz beat the Grizzlies 121-115.
