Jordan Clarkson Has Career Night As Jazz Top Sixers For 8th Straight Victory

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jordan Clarkson had a season-high in scoring and tied his career-high and franchise record in the Jazz 134-123 win over the Sixers.

The frontrunner for NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson had a season-high 40 points and made 8 three-pointers as the Jazz won their 8th straight game and 19 of their last 20 by beating the Sixers.

Clarkson’s 8 three-pointers tied his career-high and tied Jeff Hornacek for the most three-pointers made by a Jazzman in a single game.

Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, while Joe Ingles chipped in 20 points.

The Sixers were led by Ben Simmons with a career-high 42 points, along with 9 rebounds and 12 assists. Tobias Harris contributed 36 points and 10 boards. They were without Joel Embiid, who was a late scratch from the lineup with back tightness.

The @utahjazz win!

They beat the @sixers 134-123.

Three enormous threes from Royce O'Neale sealed the deal in the fourth.

Jazz sweep their four game homestand and have won 19 of 20.

Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 40. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/PEuvrMgrKj

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

Tale Of Two Quarters In First Half Between Jazz, Sixers

Philly’s offense came out clicking, particularly two players. Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris combined for 33 of their 42 first quarter points. Simmons had 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting, while Harris added 14 points.

The Jazz couldn’t get the three-ball going in the first quarter early as they missed their first three attempts from downtown. Then Jordan Clarkson and Georges Niang gave the Jazz a much-needed spark off the bench. Clarkson knocked down his first four three-pointers, along with two triples from Niang. The Sixers had a 42-35 lead at the end of the first.

Utah came out in the second quarter and put the clamps down on defense. Simmons was held to just two points and Philly was limited to just 24 points on 44 percent field goal shooting. Dwight Howard had 7 points in the quarter to lead the Sixers. The Jazz were balanced in scoring in the quarter. Bojan Bogdanovic and Clarkson had 7 points apiece. Joe Ingles had 9 points. They outscored the Sixers 37-24 in the second quarter and took a 72-66 halftime lead.

Clarkson led the way with 19 first half points. Donovan Mitchell (12) and Joe Ingles (13) combined for 25 points in the first 24 minutes.

At the half the @utahjazz lead the @sixers 72-66.

Great offensive performances from Jordan Clarkson and Ben Simmons who each have 19 for their teams.

Going to be a fun second half. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/UpwDrPbJjx

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

Jordan Clarkson Takes Over Second Half

In the third quarter, Utah made their run to get a double digit lead. Jordan Clarkson had a massive quarter with 13 points on 3 three-pointers. Mitchell added 9 points in the quarter. After scoring just two points in the second quarter, Ben Simmons bounced back with 13 points. He tied his career-high of 34 points heading into the fourth quarter.

The Jazz outscored the Sixers 34-28 and took a 106-94 lead going into the final period.

At the end of the third quarter the @utahjazz lead the @sixers 106-94.

Jordan Clarkson has a season-high 32 points with 12 minutes left to play, he's been nearly perfect. #Takenote pic.twitter.com/IgWhNlZmz8

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

In the fourth quarter, the Sixers tried to make a run but the Jazz countered everything they threw at them. Clarkson had 8 points in the fourth quarter. Simmons also scored 8 points in the final period as Philadelphia outscored Utah 29-28.

The Jazz improved their record to 23-5 on the year and remain the best team in the NBA. They will hit the road for two straight games against the Los Angeles Clipper beginning on Wednesday, February 17 and Friday, February 19. Both games will tip-off at 8 p.m. MST and will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet.