Jazz Hang On To Beat Bucks Thanks To Bogdanovic’s Heroics

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz couldn’t have been more perfect in the first half against reigning league MVP  Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. It was a different matter in the 2nd half of the Jazz’s 103-100 last-second victory

You can thank Bojan Bogdanovic and Donovan Mitchell but mainly Bogdanovic.

The Croat nailed a 3-pointer from the corner with no time left on the clock to provide the Jazz with the victory. Fans chanted “Bogey” during his post-game interview. He finished with 33 points in the game and also gave them the lift he needed in the 3rd quarter to withstand Milwaukee’s onslaught.

.@44Bojan talks about his request to switch with @MCONLEY10 to shoot the winning basket. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/EZxCXTRlRZ

— Cleon Wall (@kslcleon) November 9, 2019

With the Jazz lead cut to 60-56 in the 3rd, Bogdanovic scored the Jazz’s next 10 points including a deep 3 in which he was fouled by former Jazz-man Kyle Korver and a nasty lefty slam dunk over Brook Lopez.

Bojan with the 𝓈𝓅𝒾𝒸𝑒 🌶#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/e7XzkPqQ0U

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 9, 2019

He was also clutch in the final period. With Utah’s tenuous lead at 83-82, Bogey drove into the lane and banked in a shot and was fouled. He completed the 3 point play. Bogdanovic was also poked in the eye by Antetokounmpo with just 3:50 left in the game and was still able to make 2 free throws to give the Jazz 94-92 advantage. When the Jazz needed a hustle play, Bogdanovic dove on the floor for a rebound to prevent the Bucks from getting the ball with 2:11 left in the game.

Then there was Mitchell who’s scoring helped to keep the Jazz afloat in the 3rd and 4th quarter.

Utah had given up the lead and was down 89-88 when Mitchell drove, hung in the air and hit a difficult jumper while being fouled. He finished off the 3-point play even though he looked to pass before he actually shot the ball.

pic.twitter.com/ZkQNfUdOfU

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 9, 2019

Mitchell also completed a gorgeous pass to Royce O’Neale for a 3-pointer and hit a very difficult jumper after an offensive rebound to give Utah a 100-92 advantage.

The Jazz gave it all back in the last minute due to sloppy play. The score was tied at 100 and Milwaukee had the ball when Khris Middleton was called for traveling. Bogdanovic then proved to be the hero Jazz fans wanted and needed in the game.

The Jazz did everything they could to prevent Antetokounmpo from getting to the basket in the first half, holding the Greek Freak to only 2 points on 0-7 from the floor. Giannis exploded in the 2nd half making 10 of 17 FG from the floor in the final two quarters and finishing with 30 points before fouling out with 53.9 seconds left in the game. Middleton was also clutch for Milwaukee scoring 26 points before his untimely turnover.

Mitchell ended his night with 19 points, 6 assists, and 8 turnovers. Mike Conley scored 19 of his 20 points in the first half.