Markkanen Returns, Jazz Snap Pelicans Win Streak
Dec 13, 2022, 9:25 PM
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) and Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) defend New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
(Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz defense stimied the New Orleans Pelicans offense, snapping their league-best seven-game win streak 121-100.
Lauri Markkanen returned to the lineup and scored 19 points while adding 11 rebounds, while Malik Beasley led the Jazz with 21 points.
Zion Williams led all scorers with 26.
First Quarter
The Pelicans jumped out to a quick 7-0 start but the Jazz answered with a 9-2 run, fueled by Lauri Markkanen and Mike Conley to tie the game.
Markkanen scored eight first quarter points in his return from illness while Zion Williamson scored 10 for the Pelicans.
The Finnisher off to fast start for @utahjazz 💪🏀#TakeNotehttps://t.co/0oZVHg5pcs
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 14, 2022
New Orleans had failed to connected on more than eight three-pointers in the last three games and shot just 1-6 in the first quarter.
After one the Jazz trailed the Pelicans 30-29.
Second Quarter
The Jazz held the Pelicans to eight points over the first six minutes of the second quarter and took a 42-38 lead.
The Pelicans forced the Jazz into 15 first half turnovers but struggled to punish the Jazz largely due to poor shooting.
Clarkson 🪄 as @utahjazz fight with Pelicans 🏀😤#TakeNote https://t.co/Pg4p5Jpl5p
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 14, 2022
New Orleans knocked down just 18-46 (39 percent) of their field goals and 1-12 (eight percent) from three.
At the break, the Jazz led New Orleans 52-45.
Third Quarter
Jarred Vanderbilt’s energy early in the second half gave the Jazz a major boost crashing the glass, starting fast breaks, and finishing at the rim.
The forward had 12 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists before picking up his fifth foul midway through the quarter.
Jarred. Vanderbilt. 😤💪🏀#TakeNote https://t.co/bHYeRUEIJl
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 14, 2022
The Pelicans continued to struggle from three, converting just 2-20 through three quarters as the Jazz began to protect the ball committing just two third quarter turnovers.
After three, the Jazz led the Pelicans 91-71.
Fourth Quarter
The Pelicans never threatened the Jazz in the fourth quarter and took their starters out of the game midway through the period.
Malik Beasley led the Jazz with 21 points while Vanderbilt added a season-high 18 points, 14 points, and six assists.
.@utahjazz pulling away from Pelicans 🏀#TakeNotehttps://t.co/0J7tcp7ZFL
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 14, 2022
Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 as New Orleans knocked down just 3-25 three-point attempts.
The Jazz won the first game of their two-game series with the Pelicans 121-100.
