Jazz Blow Away Knicks, 129-97
Dec 29, 2018, 8:22 PM | Updated: Dec 30, 2018, 12:46 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz blew away the New York Knicks, 129-97, in a game that was virtually decided early on.
#TeamIsEverything pic.twitter.com/8TezprLg61
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 30, 2018
Game Decided Early
The Jazz raced out to one of their best first quarters of the season and took a 39-17 lead after the opening period. Rudy Gobert was basically unstoppable as the Knicks had no answer for the 7-foot-2 Frenchman. By the end of the period, Gobert had 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
Things remained the same in the second quarter, as the Jazz built a 71-34 halftime lead. By the time the quarter ended, Gobert had already secured his 31st double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Rudy with TWENTY FOUR points in the first half 😳 pic.twitter.com/N6QTpgIEYl
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 30, 2018
The second half was largely an opportunity for the players at the end of the bench to get some playing time as the Jazz rolled to an 32-point victory. At one point, their largest lead was 46.
Exum Continues Strong Play
Dante Exum, who got the start in place of the injured Ricky Rubio, tied his career high in assists with 12 assists at halftime. He finished the game with 13 points and 13 assists, a new career high in assists and his first career double-double.
Lookin’ like an alley-oop kind of night 🆙 pic.twitter.com/iK77HYLpf4
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 30, 2018
Exum, who has been playing the best basketball of his career lately, attributed his on-court success to feeling more comfortable on the floor.
“Just playing comfortable, that’s the main thing with me,” said Exum after the game. “And trusting my teammates that they’re going to make shots and that’s what I did tonight.”
By The Numbers
Thabo Sefolosha was the third Jazzman with a double-double as he picked up 10 points with 10 rebounds in the big win.
Thabo, Thabo, Thabo!!! pic.twitter.com/aK0yodJ1NW
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 30, 2018
As a team, the Jazz shot 54.8 percent from the field with 163-pointers made.
They also completely dominated the glass, grabbing 60 rebounds to just 35 by New York.
Utah was also great sharing the rock, dishing out 30 assists on 51 made field goals.
Next Up
The Jazz will ring in the New Year and then play New Year’s Day against Toronto on Tuesday. The game will tip off at 5:30 and be broadcast on NBA TV.
