Lauri Markkanen Posts Big First Half For Jazz Against Warriors
Dec 28, 2022, 9:16 PM
Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball in the third quarter of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on October 21, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz big man Lauri Markkanen had a big first half on Wednesday night on the road against the Golden State Warriors.
Through the first half of play, Lauri Markkanen had 23 points and 8 rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting from the three-point line in 17 minutes on the floor. The Jazz took a 59-54 lead at the halftime break.
Malik Beasley and Jordan Clarkson each added seven points for the Jazz in the first half.
Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 13 points, while Donte DiVincenzo chipped in 11 points.
here’s the link for #NBAAllStar voting in case y’all were looking for it 👀
🌟 https://t.co/X4WJXzIrma#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/ZwhSftUZBc
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 29, 2022
Jazz Have Missed Olynyk
The Jazz went 2-2 in their four games without Kelly Olynyk, and the veteran’s center absence was most apparent in Monday night’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Both Walker Kessler and Jarred Vanderbilt found themselves in foul trouble against the Spurs leaving themselves extra shorthanded in the frontcourt without their usual starter.
For the season the Jazz own the fourth-best offensive rating in the NBA but saw that number dip to 13th over the last four games with Oklynyk off the floor.
The 31-year-old center is averaging 12.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and a career-high 3.2 assists while shooting a personal best 43 percent from the three-point line.
The Jazz meanwhile have struggled as a whole on the road. The team is just 2-11 in their last 13 games away from Salt Lake City.
Warriors Nearly Unbeatable At Home
While the Jazz have struggled on the road, the Warriors have been nearly unbeatable at home this season.
Despite owning a 17-18 record overall, Golden State is 14-2 this season when playing at Chase Center, and just 3-16 when playing on the road.
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The Warriors own the second-best defensive rating in the NBA when playing at home and the 15th-best offensive rating.
On the road, the Warriors own the 29th-ranked defensive rating and the 20th-ranked offensive rating.
The Warriors will be on the second night of back-to-back games after beating the Charlotte Hornets 110-105 on Tuesday night at home.
Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors Broadcast
The Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors is televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
