Jazz Beat Pelicans in a Nail Biter
All of the Jazz and Pelicans players kneeled during the national anthems in a peaceful protest before the game.
The Pelicans vs Jazz game was a thriller, coming down to the buzzer. Both teams played sloppy and had many turnovers.
In the first half, Brandon Ingram played very good. Ingram scored 15 points and racked up 6 rebounds on 54.5% shooting. Ingram attacked the defense and made difficult shots.
Zion played well when he was on the floor. Zion was on a minutes restriction so he did not play down the strech, but when he was on the floor he was great. In the first half, Zion played for 6 minutes and scored 9 points on 100% from the floor. Zion was great at attacking the basket, he looked stronger, and used his size very well tonight.
Zion and Lonzo’s chemistry is still there. Lonzo and Zion connected on the little time they were on the floor together.
The rest of the Pelicans scoring in the first half was split fairly even between the rest of the team.
The Jazz started out the first half leading by double digits, but were unable to hold their early lead and were down 48-60 at the half.
Mike Conley played well in the first half. Conley scored 14 points on 45.5% from the floor. It looked like Conley attempted to take over some of the offensive load left behind by Bogan Bogdanovic’s absence.
Rudy Gobert started off the game well scoring 4 points, but his offensive production slowed down through the rest of the half. Gobert finished the half with 4 points an 7 rebounds.
Jordan Clarkson scored 10 points in the first half, but only shot 22.2% from the floor.
The Jazz struggled to score multiple times throughout the first half and had multiple periods that they went through scoring droughts which caused them to lose their double-digit lead that they created in the begging of the game.
In the second half, the Jazz began to take advantage of the Pelican’s poor paint defense to get back into the game.
Once the Jazz came close, J.J. Redick hit two big three’s and made a hustle play to get an offensive rebound which set up Josh Hart for a three and end the run.
Going into the fourth quarter the Jazz were down 8. The Pelicans began the quarter sloppy which allowed the Jazz to get back into the game and ultimately the Jazz took the lead with 4:00 left. The Pelicans only scored 1 point in 4 minutes during the 4th which allowed the Jazz to take the lead
After not much production throughout the game, Donovan Mitchell was clutch down the stretch. Mitchell scored 3 big baskets which put the Jazz up by 3.
J.J. Redick responded to Mitchell’s baskets with a big 3 to tie the game at 102-102.
After, Mitchell drew a foul with 48 seconds left and knocked down both free throws to take the Jazz to up by 2 points.
With 32 seconds, Brandon Ingram drew a foul and knocked down both free throws to tie the game.
The next play, Conley drove to the rim and missed, but got his own rebound which lead to Gobert getting fouled with 7 seconds to play. Gobert, although being a below average free throw shooter, knocked down both of the free throws to put the Jazz up 2.
On the last play, Brandon Ingram took a game winning three and missed barely.
The Jazz won 106 – 104 in a thrilling game to restart the NBA in Orlando.
