Jazz Vs. Bucks: Game Night

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Welcome to KSL Sports Game Night as the Utah Jazz host the Milwaukee Bucks in hopes of winning their 11th straight home game.

The Jazz are riding a five-game winning streak heading into the game including Tuesday night’s win over the Boston Celtics before a rare two days off.

The Bucks meanwhile fell on Wednesday night to the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix, their fourth stop in a six-game road trip.

Follow this page throughout the night for updates on pregame quotes from both coaches, the starting lineups, and thoughts and highlights throughout the game.

The @utahjazz will face their toughest test in weeks when they host the @Bucks on Friday night. #TakeNote https://t.co/mKDGt5z5Lh

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 12, 2021

Pregame Availability

The Jazz set a franchise record the last time these two teams played connecting on 25 threes in a 131-118 victory that spurred the Jazz run of 16 wins in seven games. The team has been breaking franchise and league three-point records throughout the year largely because the shot has become a primary option for the offensive attack.

The Jazz motto for the last several seasons under Quin Snyder have been to ‘break the paint’ in order to force defensive rotation. Now, the Jazz seem happier to look for a three-point shot even before seeking penetration.

“There are opportunities that that present themselves prior to that,” Snyder said. “I think we talked about eyes out. You get your eyes out when you break the paint, but to generate closeouts it’s important, and breaking the paint, [and] attacking does that.”

Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer on the @Utahjazz"

"I believe they've established themselves as one of the best if not the best team in the league."

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 13, 2021

The Bucks were one of the first teams to see how good the Jazz could be this year when they were firing on all cylinders. As a result, coach Mike Budenholzer said he believes the Jazz belong in the conversation with the league’s premier teams.

“They’ve established themselves as one of the best, if not the best team in the league to date,” Budenholzer said. “The way they execute on both ends of the court is impressive.”

Starting Lineups

No starting point guards for either the @utahjazz or @bucks. pic.twitter.com/ml1P4bpN6L

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 13, 2021

First Quarter

• Crazy stat to open the game, the Bucks haven’t won in Utah since October of 2001.
• Joe Ingles is absolutely on fire and Joe Ingles has 12 points on 4-4 three-point shooting.
• But the Bucks have made three threes also and its close early.

It's a shootout in Salt Lake City!

Joe Ingles has four threes to open the game for the @utahjazz, but the @bucks have three threes of their own, and the lead is 14-13.

7:16 left in the first quarter. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/VRRpNo4wCm

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 13, 2021

• Two games in a row the Jazz have struggled to find bigs shooting in the corner. Against Boston, it was Daniel Theis, and tonight it’s Brook Lopez.
• Rudy Gobert had one of the best dunks in his career over Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez.

Rim rocking slam dunk by #RudyGobert. 👀💪🤯 #TakeNote #NBAAllStar #MILatUTA https://t.co/aBJRaUV2Fk

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 13, 2021

• Early run for the Jazz fueled by Jordan Clarkson hitting back to back threes. Again, you just can’t blink against the Jazz for extended stretches of the game and expect to be able to stay in it.

The first quarter is over and the @UtahJazz continue their hot shooting

Jazz are 7-15 from deep, led by Ingles who made 4 threes. @Bucks are 5-12.

Jazz lead 35-31. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/PaXTbLpVnc

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 13, 2021

Second Quarter

• Jordan Clarkson is cooking again after a rough start outing against the Bucks.

Jordan Clarkson saw Joe Ingles hot start and decided he wanted in on the action.

He's VERY quickly climbed to 16 points on 6-9 shooting in just 12 minutes. @UtahJazz lead the @Bucks 48-38 with 6:59 left in the half. #takeNote pic.twitter.com/PGWP9xTLjO

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 13, 2021

• The Jazz continue to struggle defending the perimeter, but that’s a result of the pressure the Bucks put on the rim with Giannis.
• It’s really not different than what Gobert does in result, though Giannis can touch the ball to create the pressure, while Rudy relies on lobs and dishes from his teammates to score.

The @utahjazz continue to allow the @bucks to find open threes on kickouts, but that's why they have the best offense in the NBA.

But, Jazz still up 55-45 with 3:05 left in the half. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/2EfzNoY5Cg

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 13, 2021

• The Jazz close the quarter putting on a clinic and lead the Bucks by 17. You simply can’t blink against the Jazz or the game will be over.

At the end of the first half, the @utahjazz lead the @Bucks 69-52.

Joe Ingles up to 20 points to lead all scorers on 6-7 shooting from deep. #TakeNote

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 13, 2021

Third Quarter

• Giannis comes out hungry and is forcing the issue against the Jazz. He’s taken over a few games in Utah in recent years, so this could be tough despite the Jazz big lead.
• Bogdanovic has hit Favors on some very nice passes. It seems the Jazz are playing just about as well as they can this season, and then you start to see more chemistry grow. It’s impressive.
• Quin Snyder has talked about the importance of learning how to play with leads, and the Jazz have shown that in the third quarter.

The @UtahJazz are blowing out the @Bucks 90-71 with 2:53 left in the third quarter.

The Jazz just haven't let Milwaukee makeup any ground despite a few mini runs.

Ingles leads the Jazz with 22 points. #takeNote pic.twitter.com/HYtSGJZ2py

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 13, 2021

• Bucks close the quarter well and end up winning the third 30-27.
• Jazz have a comfortable 14 point lead, but don’t be surprised if Giannis plays big minutes in the fourth to try to make this a game.

With 12 minutes left to play, the @utahjazz lead the @Bucks 96-82.

This game is far from over, and the Jazz are going to need a good push to wish stand Milwaukee. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/YmaS3Ti1EU

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 13, 2021

Fourth Quarter

• As expected Giannis came out with his hair on fire trying to claw the Bucks back into this game.
• It worked for a few possessions, but he was gassed as he was asked to do absolutely everything for Milwaukee.
• Bad Bogey passes an open three, misses Royce for an open three, then turns the ball over instead of taking the mid-range jumper.

The @UtahJazz withstand a tough push from Giannis Antetokounmpo early in the fourth quarter and still own a 14 point lead with 7:58 left in the game.

Three Jazz players have scored at least 20 points. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/mpLb24lxGe

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 13, 2021

• The Jazz continue to just run down the list and find who has a mismatch and exploit it.
• Right now its Clarkson attacking the Bucks shorthanded perimeter defenders without Holiday in the lineup, and the Jazz are up 16.
• Jazz win 129-115, the run continues.

The @utahjazz win AGAIN.

That's 19 straight wins over the @Bucks in the state of Utah.

Six straight overall.

Four Jazz players score at least 20.

Jazz win 129-115. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/XttbQK6sh4

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 13, 2021