Jazz Trio Sparks Big First Quarter Run Against Pacers
Dec 2, 2022, 7:44 PM | Updated: 7:47 pm
Utah Jazz guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a 3-pointer at the end of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Utah won 124-123. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz went on a big run on big shots by three players in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night at Vivint Arena.
Midway through the first quarter, the Jazz went on a 15-4 run to take a 26-13 lead with 3:56 remaining in the opening period. It started with a stepback jumper by Lauri Markkanen before Buddy Hield answered with a layup for the Pacers.
Collin Sexton added two points before Malik Beasley and Kelly Olynyk each drilled a three-pointer. Talen Horton-Tucker scored a jumpshot, followed by free throws from Bennedict Mathurin of the Pacers. Beasley hit his second triple of the run, which ended there.
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— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 3, 2022
Jazz Shorthanded Against Pacers Without Conley
It’s been nearly two weeks since Mike Conley last suited up for the Jazz in their 118-113 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The veteran guard hyperextended his knee against the Trail Blazers early in the third quarter and hasn’t seen the floor since.
The Jazz are 1-5 in Conley’s absence but snapped their winless streak behind the play of Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton against the Clippers.
Clarkson played 22 of the 24 available second-half minutes against the Clippers while Sexton was on the floor for 20 minutes in the games closing quarters.
The two players combined for 54 points on an efficient 18-31 shooting, and 6-11 from the three-point line.
Coach Will Hardy also made a change in the second unit sitting Talen Horton-Tucker for the entirety of the game and giving the backup point guard minutes to Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Pacers In Midst Of Long Road Trip
The Pacers will be playing their fourth game in a seven-game Western Conference road trip when they face the Jazz.
Indiana is 1-2 to start the trip with losses to the Clippers and the Sacramento Kings, separated by a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Pacers have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this season at 12-9, fueled by the breakout play of guard Tyrese Haliburton and Rookie of the Year frontrunner Bennedict Mathurin.
Haliburton is averaging an All-Star-worthy 19.3 points, 11.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for the Pacers while Haliburton is adding 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over his first 21 games in the NBA.
Haliburton is listed as questionable for the Pacers with a groin injury.
The Pacers will conclude their road trip with stops in Portland, Golden State, and Minnesota.
The Utah Jazz and the Indiana Pacers game is televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. The game will also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
