Markkanen, Clarkson Combine For 70 As Jazz Down Pelicans
Dec 15, 2022, 10:02 PM
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) react as the Utah Jazz win an NBA game. (photo: Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
(photo: Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Jordan Clarkson scored 39 points while Lauri Markkanen added 31, including a big three in regulation to give the Utah Jazz a 132-129 overtime victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Jazz battled back from 13 down in the third quarter to force overtime and get the win.
With the victory, the Jazz swept the season series over the Pelicans 3-0.
First Quarter
Jordan Clarkson jumped out to a quick start scoring 11 of the Jazz’s first 15 points to open the game.
Clarkson was the only Jazz score to convert a field goal in the first quarter against the Pelicans.
🔥 JC cookin' early 🔥 #TakeNote #NOPvsUTA @BensHoops https://t.co/gO9u0TXf04
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 16, 2022
Devonte Graham added seven points to lead the Pelicans who continued their three-point shooting struggles from Tuesday night, converting just 1-5 attempts.
After one the Jazz led the Pelicans 27-25.
Second Quarter
After scoring just two points in the first quarter Lauri Markkanen found his groove in the second scoring eight points on 3-4 shooting.
The Pelicans three-point shooting finally clicked in connecting on 3-6 from downtown in the second.
Dok with the two-hand 🔨 💪 #TakeNote #NOPvsUTA @BensHoops https://t.co/Q01nT4bpVp
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 16, 2022
CJ McCollum scored 13 points in the second quarter while Zion Williamson added nine.
Clarkson brought his total to 25 at the half a the Jazz trailed New Orleans 62-58.
Third Quarter
The Pelicans opened the third quarter shooting 5-5 from the floor and built their lead to 13.
Despite the Pelicans hot start, they never quite put the Jazz away in the third.
.@utahjazz use 14-1 run to take 3rd quarter lead 🏀😤#TakeNotehttps://t.co/TMO4tEkMwI
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 16, 2022
The Jazz defense picked up midway through the quarter leading to a 14-1 run to retake a 91-90 lead.
The Pelicans answered with a 5-0 run to take a 95-91 lead into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
The Jazz and Pelicans exchanged baskets for much of the fourth quarter, before a Nickeil Alexander-Walker three gave the Jazz a 105-102 lead with seven minutes left in the fourth.
After nearly losing the ball, Mike Conley found Lauri Markkanen for a three to give the Jazz a 121-118 lead with 30 seconds left to play.
no thoughts, just that Lauri three 🧨#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/BjScFkIS6H
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 16, 2022
Trey Murphy III hit a three with two seconds left to tie the game setting up a sideline out-of-bounds play.
Markkanen had his last-second lay-in attempt blocked by Larry Nance and the game went to overtime tied at 123.
Overtime
The Pelicans missed their first three field goals in overtime as the Jazz built a four-point lead.
Walker Kessler played the final 9:27 of the fourth quarter and overtime and hit a big free-throw to give the Jazz a five point lead with 34 seconds left to play.
After two missed Mike Conley free throws, McCollum missed an open three to that would have tied the game, and Markkanen’s free throws clinched the 132-129 win for the Jazz.
