Jazz Advance To Conference Semifinals With Game 5 Win Over Grizzlies

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 126-110 to win the series 4-1 and advance to the Western Conference Semfinals.

It’s the first time since 2018 that the Jazz have won a first round playoff series. Now Memphis will head home after losing the last four games following a Game 1 win. The Jazz are the first team in the 2021 playoffs to advance in the Western Conference.

Donovan recorded a double-double to lead the Jazz with 30 points and 10 assists. Rudy Gobert also had a double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds, along with three blocks. Jordan Clarkson poured in 24 points off the bench. Both Bojan Bogdanovic and Royce O’Neale chipped in 17 points apiece.

Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks led Memphis with 27 points apiece. Jonas Valanciunas posted 18 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 15 points.

The @utahjazz defeat the @memgrizz 126-110 and are headed to the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

Donovan Mitchell leads the Jazz with 30 points, who now await the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/LrNstuQh0c

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 3, 2021

Jazz Torch The Net In First Half Against Grizzlies

Utah made a massive statement in the first quarter and came out firing on all cylinders and told the world that they want to end the series rather than  don’t want to go back to Memphis for Game 6. In front of a loud crowd at Vivint Arena, the Jazz posted 47 points and held the Grizzlies to 27 points. Utah once held a 40-19 lead in the opening quarter.

It was a great ending to the first quarter as Mike Conley hit a deep two-pointer at the buzzer. It’s a Jazz playoff record for most points in a quarter.

Through the first 12 minutes, Utah shot 18-of-26 from the field and 9-of-15 from the three-point line. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 14 points. Bojan Bogdanovic poured in 11 points. Royce O’Neale added 6 points, along with 7 points from Mike Conley.

Utah outscored Memphis 28-24 in the second quarter to take a 75-51 halftime lead. Donovan Mitchell scored 12 of his 26 first half points in the second quarter. Mitchell ended the half with a big three-pointer with Valanciunas in his face.

The @utahjazz get 26 points from Donovan Mitchell in the first half and lead the @memgrizz 75-51.

Jazz hit 12 first half threes and have their eye on a gentleman's sweep.

24 minutes left to play. #takenote pic.twitter.com/siYxFcAvvI

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 3, 2021

Jazz Cruise In Second Half To Eliminate Grizzlies

The Jazz started the third quarter strong with an 11-3 run. They did so without Mike Conley, who missed the second half with hamstring soreness. Utah outscored Memphis 31-25 in the third quarter and held a 106-76 lead entering the fourth. Jordan Clarkson gave the Jazz a spark in the third with 11 points.

The Grizzlies made a small run midway through the fourth quarter and cut Utah’s lead from 31 to 22 with 6:09 remaining. Quin Snyder decided to put Mitchell back into the game.

Slowly enough, Utah created separation once again from Memphis after pulling to within 18. Mitchell hit a floater in the lane to put the Jazz up by 20 with 2:48 to play. Snyder and Taylor Jenkins both emptied their benches with 2:17 left in the game.

The Jazz blow out the Grizzlies for a trip to the conference semifinals 🔥

Utah gets the 4-1 series W. pic.twitter.com/CNMc55aKxx

— ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2021

The Jazz will advance to the Western Conference Semifinals where they will face the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks, who played Game 5 of their series on Wednesday night. Game 1 will be at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The start of the series is to be determined.