Jazz Beat Hornets Despite Late Push To Snap Losing Streak
Dec 20, 2021, 9:21 PM | Updated: 10:24 pm
Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder and Rudy Gobert (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz snapped their two-game losing streak with a 112-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
The Jazz struggled to shoot the ball over the course of the night knocking down just 34-96 field goal attempt including 16-53 from three, but got a badly needed win.
Rudy Gobert led the team with 23 points and 21 rebounds in the win.
First Quarter
The Hornets had one of the worst quarters any team has played against the Jazz in some time.
Charlotte managed just 16 points on 5-24 shooting, including 2-11 from three-point line.
The @utahjazz didn't waste any time getting out to a big lead in the first quarter.#TakeNote https://t.co/fOdE4TIQ5b
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 21, 2021
More impressively, the Jazz grabbed 22 first quarter rebounds to the Hornets 11, and had nine assists on 12 made field goals.
After one, the Jazz led the Hornets 35-16.
Second Quarter
The Jazz followed up their strong first quarter with a rough 19 point outing on just 5-21 shooting.
The Hornets are the worst defensive team in the NBA, but the Jazz struggled to get easy shots either in transition or the half court.
At the half, the @utahjazz lead the @hornets 54-41.
The Jazz slept walked through the second quarter scoring just 19 points on 5-21 shooting. #takenote pic.twitter.com/jMPuraSRIw
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 21, 2021
Much of the team’s offensive came on second-chance points in the quarter, and the Jazz have 16 points off 13 offensive rebounds at the break.
Rudy Gobert leads all scorers with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
The Jazz led the Hornets 54-41 at the half.
Third Quarter
The Jazz followed up their second quarter with a better executed third quarter, but weren’t able to convert on their open looks.
The Jazz shot just 9-24 in the quarter including 6-18 from the three-point line resulting in 26 points.
JC3s 🙏#TakeNote | @jordanclarksons pic.twitter.com/7gewM2kkSX
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 21, 2021
Charlotte trimmed the Jazz lead to just six points in the final minutes of the quarter, but back-t0-back threes from Jordan Clarkson rebuilt the lead to 12 heading into the final period.
After three, the Jazz led the Hornets 80-68.
Fourth Quarter
The unsung story of this game will be Gobert’s free-throw shooting. With the Jazz struggling to shoot from everyone on the floor, Gobert abusing the Hornets’ decision to defend him with smaller players who have resorted to fouling has been their best offense.
His previous career-high was 12, but he knocked down 15-16 to finish with 23 points and 20 rebounds on the night.
The Hornets took a one point lead off a Kelly Oubre dunk with 3:30 left to cap off at 12-0 run, but the Jazz answered with a 7-0 run of their own to regain the lead for good.
At the final horn, the Jazz escaped with an 112-102 victory.
