Mitchell, Jazz Take Commanding 3-1 Series Lead With Game 4 Win Over Grizzlies
May 31, 2021, 10:20 PM | Updated: Jun 1, 2021, 12:13 am
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz goes to the basket against Grayson Allen #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game Four of the Western Conference first round series on May 31, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz took a commanding 3-1 lead in their first round series over the Memphis Grizzlies with a road victory in Game 4.
The Grizzlies hosted the Jazz for Game 4 of the series at FedEx Forum on Monday, May 31.
Mitchell scored a game-high 30 points and led Utah to a 120-113 win.
After dropping Game 1 at home, the Jazz have won the last three contests in the series.
JAZZ WIN!!! pic.twitter.com/Mufd0wFr0r
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 1, 2021
First Half
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Both teams started fast in the opening quarter of the game.
The Jazz began by shooting 3-4 from beyond the arc and jumped out to a quick 15-10 lead.
At the end of the first 12 minutes, Utah owned a 34-31 advantage.
The story of the second quarter was foul trouble and Mitchell’s magic.
🕷4️⃣5️⃣🕷#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Dg5ftfB5Su
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 1, 2021
Memphis’ Dillon Brooks committed three fouls during a span of less than 90 seconds and went to the bench.
Despite having Rudy Gobert in foul trouble, the Jazz maintained a solid post presence with Derrick Favors. The veteran came off the bench and played great defense in replacement of Gobert. Favors also added eight points during his time on the court.
During the final minutes the half, Mitchell took control of the game and helped Utah take a five-point lead into the locker room at halftime.
The fourth-year guard hit a pair of three-pointers during the final 2:06 of the second quarter.
Mitchell finished the half with 14 points on 5-12 field goals.
During the opening two quarters, Utah shot 46.7 percent overall and 10-19 for 52.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Jordan Clarkson poured in 12 points off the bench.
heard you, @bigTbailey pic.twitter.com/Ipp83TZR7G
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 1, 2021
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 13 points.
Memphis shot 46.3 percent from the field, including 35.3 percent from three.
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Second Half
Like the first quarter of play, the third quarter began with a lot of offense.
Both teams seemed to score at will during the opening minutes of the second half.
Midway through the quarter, Mitchell, Gobert, and the Jazz stepped up their game to another level.
🗣 talk 🗣 your 🗣 talk 🗣#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/A4IG4fPPUr
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 1, 2021
The All-Stars combined for 23 points on 8-12 fields and propelled a big run by Utah during the first 12 minutes of the half.
The Jazz won the quarter by eight points and went into the final quarter with a 100-87 lead.
RUUUUUDY!!!#TakeNote | @rudygobert27 pic.twitter.com/1N5MbLBCPf
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 1, 2021
In the fourth quarter, Utah missed its first nine field goal attempts.
During that span, Memphis trimmed Utah’s lead to two points amid a 19-9 run.
The run was led by Grizzlies guard De’Anthony Melton, who had 15 points in the quarter.
De'Anthony Melton is cooking for the @memgrizz as he's trimmed the @utahjazz lead to just 3 with 4:14 left in the game.
Melton has 15 points, and the Jazz lead 109-106. #takenote pic.twitter.com/bYauCZ7FXG
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 1, 2021
Melton was scoreless during the first three quarters.
Similar to the closing run of Game 3, Utah responded with a 10-2 spurt to regain control.
A brilliant stretch of basketball from the @utahjazz has rebuild the lead to 8 with 1:29 left to play.
Mike Conley saved his best for last hitting a pair of threes in the final half of the fourth quarter to give the Jazz some breathing room. pic.twitter.com/hiWvEc9zjn
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 1, 2021
Despite losing the quarter by six points, the Jazz handled their business during the final 90 seconds and won by seven points.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz finished by the contest shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 17-34 for 50.0 percent on triples.
Five Jazzmen scored in double figures.
Mitchell scored his game-high 30 points on 8-22 shooting, including 2-7 from downtown. He also had two boards, eight assists, two steals, and one block.
spida things#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/xKf6dcPZXv
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 1, 2021
Clarkson had 24 points to lead Utah’s second unit.
Gobert added 17 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
rudy gobert going to work pic.twitter.com/LL0VfSKaUx
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 1, 2021
Bojan Bogdanovic added 13 points.
Mike Conley had 11 points, three rebounds, and seven assists.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies shot 46.7 percent overall and 28.6 percent from distance.
Memphis had three players score over 20 points.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 23 points and 12 assists.
PUT EM IN THE MIX 🔄@JaMorant | #NxtUpMemphis pic.twitter.com/DS4Ewm4KD6
— 🙅♂️- Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) June 1, 2021
Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr. each scored 21 points.
Up Next
With the win, the Jazz took a 3-1 lead in the series.
Game 5 of the series will take place on Wednesday, June 2 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on NBA TV, AT&T SportsNet, and 97.5 FM.
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