Rudy Gobert Lifts Jazz To Double-Digit Lead After First Quarter
Aug 21, 2020, 2:50 PM | Updated: Apr 18, 2021, 5:26 pm
Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic #15 looks to pass under pressure from Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Ashley Landi-Pool/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ashley Landi-Pool/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, Fla. – Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert had a tremendous first quarter for the team to help them gain a double-digit lead after the first 12 minutes of play.
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The Jazz had a 25-14 lead after the first quarter over the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs.
Gobert finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds (3 offensive, 5 defensive) and one steal. He shot 5 of 7 from the field and 2 for 5 from the free throw line.
strong defensive start 🚦#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/KHHUO9tqux
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) August 21, 2020
Gobert was able to score five field goals in the first 12 minutes. He had a nice sky-hook over Nikola Jokic after gaining an offensive rebound. The “Stifle Tower” scored an easy layup on a dish by Georges Niang and also a dunk on a lob by Joe Ingles.
Donovan Mitchell added 6 points in the first quarter. Utah shot 10 of 21 from the field and just 1 for 9 from downtown.
sky 𝒽𝑜𝑜𝓀#TakeNote | @rudygobert27 pic.twitter.com/y0dKEKpoJu
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) August 21, 2020
Only three Denver players scored in the first quarter. Jamal Murray had 7 points, Torrey Craig added 5 and Nikola Jokic chipped in 2 points.
The Utah Jazz received the services of Mike Conley back after missing the first two games of the series to be with his family for the birth of his son. Conley returned to the bubble on Monday and cleared the four-day quarantine. He started in place of rookie Juwan Morgan. The series is tied at one game apiece.
