Walker Kessler Hits Corner Three As Jazz Battle Pelicans
Dec 28, 2023, 7:46 PM
Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of NBA game (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Is Kessler Korner going to be the next fad in Salt Lake City? It will if second-year center Walker Kessler keeps knocking down threes.
Utah looks to continue a three-game winning streak as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans (17-14) at the Smoothie King Center on Thursday, December 28.
RELATED: Jazz Showing Off Youth In First Half At New Orleans
(•_•)
<) )╯Walker
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/ pic.twitter.com/jPoKY2xM1v— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 29, 2023
Kessler took a pass from Lauri Markkanen and calmly knocked down the shot in front of the Jazz bench. Kessler has nine points, four rebounds, and a blocked shot in 19 minutes of play.
Known more for shot blocking than shooting, Kessler is 4-of-14 from deep this season after attempting just three shots from beyond the arc in his rookie season.
Despite shooting below 30 percent from deep as a team, Utah has been able to stay close in New Orleans. The Jazz trail 81-76 after three quarters.
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Pelicans Look To End Two-Game Home Skid
The Pels are seventh in the Western Conference and one game behind the sixth-seeded Dallas Mavericks. New Orleans has the 16th-best offensive rating (115.6) in the league and the eighth-highest defensive rating (113.3). They have lost back-to-back games home games, falling to Houston and Memphis.
The Jazz enters the matchup riding a three-game road winning streak. Utah had two road wins this season before beginning the current five-game swing.
Final stop: 𝙽𝚎𝚠 𝙾𝚛𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜 ⛽️
⏰ 6:00PM MT
📺 JAZZ+ | KJZZ
📻 @kslsportszone #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/U8VHJxzNfF— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 28, 2023
RELATED: Jazz Wrap Up Road Trip Against New Orleans Pelicans
Seven Pelicans average double-figures with Brandon Ingram’s 23.1 ppg leading the way. Former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williams is second with 22.3 points and 6.1 boards. Former Portland Trail Blazer CJ McCollum pours in 19.6 points a night on 46 percent shooting and 41.9 percent from deep.
The Jazz are 2-0 against New Orleans this season after consecutive home wins in late November. Utah bested the Pelicans 105-100 on November 25 before surviving with a 114-112 win two nights later.
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The Jazz return to Delta Center where they will host the Miami Heat (18-12) on Saturday, December 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. (MT). The game will be broadcast on KJZZ, Jazz+, NBA League Pass, KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), sports.ksl.com, and the KSL Sports app.
