Jazz Vs. Hawks: Game Night

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Welcome to KSL Sports Game Night as the Utah Jazz host the Atlanta Hawks. Follow this page throughout the night for updates on pregame availability, starting lineups, and the highlight throughout the game.

The Jazz and Hawks both had their last games postponed as neither team’s opponent had a full eight-man roster due to COVID-19 exposure.

The Hawks fly into Utah after beating the Philadephia 76ers, but haven’t played since Monday. The Jazz meanwhile are riding a three-game winning streak, and return home after a six-game road trip.

The @utahjazz and @ATLHawks will retake the floor after a pair of postponed games earlier this week.

Hawks writer @sarah_k_spence joined me to preview the matchup. #TakeNote https://t.co/1dZetbRjWF

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 15, 2021

Pregame Availability

Quin Snyder has talked recently about the Jazz need to improve their focus defensively, especially on their pickup points against opposing guards. Hawks guard Trae Young is particularly difficult because he’s a willing shooter out to 35 feet.

“Like any great offensive player, one of the things that makes him special is their ability to take what the defense gives you,” Snyder said. “Whether that’s rejecting the pick and roll, using the screen, shooting behind the screen. In this case, it’s difficult to go under on those pick and rolls. So you have to be higher up the floor.”

The Jazz may not want to be overly zealous on Young’s willingness to pull up from near mid-court. The guard is shooting just 29 percent from three this season and 47 percent inside the arc.

Significant discussion on league's call with general managers today about expanding rosters by allowing a third two-way contract slot this season, sources tell ESPN. That'll have to be worked out with NBPA, but there's momentum toward it.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 15, 2021

With a rash of COVID-19 outbreaks across the NBA, the league is considering adding a third two-way player to rosters to give teams more flexibility if players are held out of games.

The Jazz have yet to fill their current 15 man roster, though both two-way spots are filled. But instead of adding an additional roster spot, Snyder said he wished the league would change another issue facing two-way players.

“The first thing would be just to let us use our two-way players,” Snyder said. “We have a limit on the amount of days that we can actually use guys. So, what’s happening now is that you’re essentially preserving those days, so that if something happens with an injury or particularly a COVID situation.”

Interesting response from Quin Snyder who usually isn't all that opinionated about league matters.

When asked how he felt about adding a third two-way player, he seemed more in favor of loosening restrictions.

"The first thing would be just to let us use our two-way players"

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 16, 2021

The NBA did up the former 45-day limit two-way players could spend with their main rosters for this season. Now players can be active for up to 50 games before they reach the maximum threshold.

With Joe Ingles missing games due to injury (including tonights game) and Juwan Morgan having spent time in the NBA’s safety protocol, both Jarrell Brantley and Trent Forrest have been active for the Jazz in recent games.

Starting Lineups

Starters for the @utahjazz and the @ATLHawks. pic.twitter.com/NefBA6BozV

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 16, 2021

First Quarter

Mike Conley starts the game quickly for the Jazz with 8 of their first 10 points, including back to back three-point shots.

Haws meanwhile are just 1-4 from the with 2 points.

.@MCONLEY10 was cookin’ early. 🔥🔥🔥 #TakeNote #ATLatUTA https://t.co/JWrykVdNol

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021

The Hawks look like they haven’t played all week and the Jazz are red hot. Jazz 4-5 from three to start the game.

They’re 6-1 this season when they shoot 35% or better from three.

Jazz have suddenly gone cold after Conley subbed out. After starting red hot, the Jazz have missed 8 straight field goal attempts and the Hawks trail by just 4.

The @UtahJazz have missed 8 straight field goal attempts and the Hawks have trimmed the Jazz 18-4 lead to 19-15.

4:11 left in the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/yJzFM94iCo#TakeNote

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021

After the Hawks trim the Jazz lead to just 6 at 27-21, the Jazz close the quarter on a 6-2 run to build it back to 10.

Jazz missed their last 8 threes of the quarter, but held Atlanta to 0-5 shooting from deep in the quarter.

At the end of the first quarter the @utahjazz lead the @ATLHawks 33-23.

Mike Conley leads all scorers with 10 points, and the Jazz hold the Hawks scoreless from three. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/fVTjbpVAVW

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021

Second Quarter

After a good defensive outing against the Cavaliers, Miye Oni has had trouble keeping Kevin Huerter and DeAndre Hunter from getting to their spots.

They’re targeting him on most plays.

Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson is having his worst game of the season. He’s opened 0-5 from the floor.

But, so is Trae Young for the Hawks and the Jazz will happily make that trade

Jazz up 40-33 with 7:21 left in the half.

Pull over! The Minivan is flying down the lane. 🚐💪 @GeorgesNiang20 #TakeNote #ATLatUTA https://t.co/agxJdE145w

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021

Donovan Mitchell gets a rookie big on him, waves the entire offense off, and then pulls up for three.

Did the same thing from the same spot against Jalen Smith earlier this year. Good veteran knowledge.

Hawks are just 1-10 from three.

Back to back threes from Donovan Mitchell pushes the @utahjazz lead to 11, 51-40.

Mitchell has 17 points all of a sudden, including 10 points in the second quarter.

3:20 left in the half. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/S2L7TsbkQ7

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021

The Jazz are in a groove thanks to Mitchell’s big quarter.

Nice play from the Jazz where Mitchell saves a ball under the Hawks basket, Conley catches it at half court, touch passes it to Bogdanovic, Bogdanovic throws it to Royce O’Neale who quickly finds Gobet under the basket for a dunk.

One of the Jazz best plays of the season.

The @UtahJazz closed the half well and lead 61-46 at the break.

Donovan Mitchell has 20 points for the Jazz Gobert has 12 and Mike Conley has 10.

Only DeAndre Hunter is in double figures for Atlanta with 10.#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/LfSMuB1qGT

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021

Third Quarter

The Hawks open the quarter on a 7-0 run and trim the Jazz 15 point halftime lead to just 8.

After hitting just one three in the first half, the Hawks are 2-2 to start the third quarter.

However, the Jazz seem to have had an answer all night for the Hawks mini runs, mostly tanks to Donovan Mitchell who continues to abuse the Hawks defense. He’s got 26 points and 6 made threes.

The @atlhawks trim the @utahazz lead to 4 at one point, but Donovan Mitchell's hot play continues and the lead is back up to 11.

Jazz lead 76-65 with 6:11 left in the third quarter.

Mitchell has 26 points. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/2sqf78fIEa

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021

The most threes ever by a Jazz player in a game is 8 (Hornacek, Bogdanovic, Hood, Foye).

Mitchell has 6 right now with 5:47 left in the third quarter. Could be another record-breaking night for Mitchell and the Jazz. If he doesn’t get it tonight, either he, Bogdanovic, or Clarkson will get it by the season’s end.

Donovan Mitchell subs out of the game and the @ATLHawks go on a 6-0 run to cut the @UtahJaz lead to 82-74.

Five Hawks now in double figures, led by Clint Capela with 16.

2:01 left in the half. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/pr4LhrIoo3

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021

The Jazz continue to answer every Hawks run with a run of their own and enter the fourth quarter in good shape.

Jazz up 87-74 with 12 minutes left to play.

The @utahJazz continue to have answers for every @ATLHawks run.

At the end of the third quarter, the Jazz lead 87-74.

12 minutes away from a 4 game win streak for the Jazz. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/r4W0tjbxjF

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021

Fourth Quarter

The Jazz open the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run and suddenly this game feels over. Jazz up 96-74. Impressive performance so far.

Stretching back to the third quarter, the Jazz went on a 21-0 run thanks to hot three-point shooting from the team’s second unit.

The game wasn’t exactly close, but the run ended the game in a hurry.

2️⃣1️⃣ straight points to put the game away. #TakeNote #ATLatUTA https://t.co/d4x536IPbN

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021

For the second straight game, the Jazz get to close with rookies and young players for most of the second half of the fourth quarter.

Quin Snyder doesn’t play his young guys a lot, so these are valuable minutes.

Jazz win 116-92.

The @utahjazz run away from the @ATLHawks in the fourth quarter and win easily 116-92.

Jazz move to 8-4 on the season, and have won 4 straight.

Donovan Mitchell finishes with 26 points. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/unnNcYLDIJ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2021