Jazz Center Udoka Azubuike Throws Down Powerful Dunk Against Pelicans
Dec 15, 2022, 8:03 PM
Udoka Azubuike #20 of the Utah Jazz before the NBA game at Footprint Center on January 24, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz center Udoka Azubuike threw down a powerful slam dunk during the first half of Utah’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Jazz hosted the Pelicans at Vivint Arena on Thursday, December 15.
With 7:45 to go in the second quarter, Jazz guard Malik Beasley dribbled the baseline before dishing the ball off in the paint to Azubuike. The Kansas product collected the roundball before leaping into the air and throwing down a big two-handed jam.
Azubuike’s dunk gave the Jazz a 43-39 lead.
H̶U̶L̶K̶ DOK SMASH 👊#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/YvfZNPgbNZ
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 16, 2022
Late in the half, Azubuike had four points on 2-2 field goals. He added one rebound in three minutes of action.
This season, Azubuike is averaging 1.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 0.2 steals in 3.9 minutes per game.
Utah’s game against New Orleans is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
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Pelicans vs. Jazz
Collin Sexton will miss his fourth consecutive game with a hamstring injury suffered against the Golden State Warriors on December 7th.
The second-unit guard underwent an MRI on Wednesday and will have his status updated by the team on Thursday.
Sexton is averaging 14.3 points and 3.0 assists in 27 games with the Jazz this season.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz will look to sweep the two-game series with the @PelicansNBA on the @KSLSportsZone and https://t.co/4kU961CZ7h.#TakeNote https://t.co/7gRvvLJ8H4 pic.twitter.com/TRwcXcM4Bk
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 16, 2022
Despite scoring the game-winning basket, Simone Fontecchio was injured in Utah’s recent win over the Golden State Warriors.
The Italian rookie sprained his ankle early in the game but finished the night before being ruled out the past week.
Fontecchio is averaging 4.8 points and 1.3 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from the three-point line.
The Jazz expect Lauri Markkanen and Mike Conly on the floor for the second straight game. Markkanen returned from an illness that sidelined him for three games and scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Tuesday’s win. Conley added seven points and six assists in 29 minutes.
New Orleans Looks To Avoid Jazz Sweep
Despite being tied for the best record in the West after Tuesday’s loss, the Pelicans are looking to avoid a three-game season sweep at the hands of the Jazz.
The Jazz took down the Pelicans 122-121 in overtime in the third game of the season in New Orleans before dismantling the West’s top seed in their second matchup. Thursday’s matchup is the final regular season meeting between the two teams.
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Brandon Ingram is scheduled to miss his ninth straight game when the Pelicans face the Jazz.
New Orleans was 7-0 after Ingram left the roster with a toe injury, but saw their winning streak snapped in Utah.
