Jazz Snap Losing Streak, Avoid Pistons Sweep

Jan 21, 2022, 9:33 PM | Updated: 9:44 pm

Utah Jazz guard Trent Forrest drives against the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Utah Jazz Insider

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz snapped their losing streak at two by outlasting the Detroit Pistons 111-101 in Salt Lake City.

Three Jazz players finished in double figures, led by Rudy Gobert who had 24 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks to avoid the season sweep at the hands of Detroit.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 25 points, four shy of his career-high.

First Quarter

The Jazz offense continued to struggle with Donovan Mitchell out of the lineup as they looked for more spacing and easy shot creation.

Rather than relying on Udoka Azubuike to fill the backup minutes in Hassan Whiteside’s absence, Quin Snyder chose to play the undersized Eric Paschall at the five.

🕷🏆 @spidadmitchell #TakeNote #DETvsUTA https://t.co/9qQHynAfCJ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 22, 2022

Paschall scored three points and grabbed two minutes in four minutes off the bench and provided his usual energy.

After one, the Jazz led the Pistons 27-26.

Second Quarter

The Jazz didn’t have an answer for Cade Cunningham, just as they didn’t last week when he scored a career-high 29 points.

Cunningham had 17 first half points in Utah, but the Pistons couldn’t find a reliable second scorer in the opening 24 minutes.

Jingles ➡️ Gobzilla 🦖 x2️⃣#TakeNote #DETvsUTA https://t.co/RAdghoZRQd

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 22, 2022

Jordan Clarkson meanwhile found his scoring stroke in the half adding 16 points while Rudy Gobert added 15.

At the half, the Jazz led the Pistons 60-52.

Third Quarter

The Pistons came out just as they did in Detroit and erased the Jazz halftime lead early in the third quarter.

Detroit used a 13-4 run in the opening three minutes to take a 65-64 run.

🎱 Ocho with the big block 🖐#TakeNote #DETvsUTA https://t.co/vGJyYnvdAU

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 22, 2022

However, the Jazz answered with a strong push from their shorthanded unit led by Trent Forrest who had five points, two rebounds, and an assist as the reserves outscored Detroit by seven while he was on the floor.

After three, the Jazz led the Pistons 87-82.

Fourth Quarter

The Jazz had struggled to find consistent offense late in games without Mitchell and when teamed with poor defense, they didn’t have answers late in games in recent weeks to emerge with wins.

While the Jazz still struggled defensively, their defense was significantly improved slowing down the Pistons’ offense and finishing possessions with defensive rebounds.