Clarkson’s 38 Not Enough As Jazz Fall To 76ers

SALT LAKE CITY – Jordan Clarkson scored 38 points but it wasn’t enough as the shorthanded Utah Jazz fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 118-117.

The Jazz were without starters Lauri Markkanen and Kelly Olynyk but put up a valiant effort on the second night of back-to-back games.

James Harden scored 31 points while Joel Embiid added 30 including the game-winning jump shot with four seconds left to play.

First Quarter

The 76ers jumped out to a quick 17-7 lead and extended it to 22-9 midway through the quarter as the Jazz struggled to make shots.

The Jazz connected on 9-24 field goal attempts including 3-14 from three while the Sixers shot 15-23 from the floor and 6-11 from downtown.

Jordan Clarkson opened with 8 points and 3 assists on Saturday against Philadelphia. He shot 50% during this stretch.#TakeNotehttps://t.co/PZsZdT067Z

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 15, 2023

Joel Embiid scored 13 in the first quarter while Jordan Clarkson had eight for the Jazz.

After one, the Jazz trailed Philly 41-24.

Second Quarter

Both teams struggled defensively to begin the second quarter as the Jazz and 76ers combined for 12 total points in the opening six minutes.

The Jazz found their first offensive rhythm of the night late in the second with a 13-2 run to trim the 76ers lead to five, 53-48.

Walker Kessler too 💪 for De'Anthony Melton 🏀#TakeNotehttps://t.co/SY7aQZTMc6

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 15, 2023

However, the Sixers hit back-to-back threes to close the half to rebuild a double-digit lead.

At the break, the Jazz trailed the 76ers 66-56.

Third Quarter

The Sixers built their lead to 12 early in the half, but the Jazz defense stiffened up and held Philly scoreless for a four minutes stretch beginning at the six-minute mark.

The Jazz trimmed the 76ers lead to one, 81-80 with 2:30 left in the third on a Talen Horton-Tucker free throw.

VanDunk 💪 #TakeNote #PHIvsUTA https://t.co/ditcssy2UN

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 15, 2023

Philly responded by ballooning their lead back to eight, but the Jazz closed on a 5-0 run to finish the quarter.

After three, the Jazz trailed the 76ers 88-85.

Fourth Quarter

James Harden found his rhythm in the fourth scoring 16 straight for the 76ers to give Philadelphia a 108-100 lead midway through the period.

The Jazz responded with a 6-0 run to trim the deficit to two on a Clarkson three with four minutes left to play.

Mike Conley hit a three with 1:48 left to play, then Kessler tipped in a layup to give the Jazz a 115-114 lead with 33 seconds left to play.

JC 🔥🔥🔥 #TakeNote #PHIvsUTA https://t.co/9hfew6rvDg

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 15, 2023

After falling behind by one, the Jazz had a chance to win the game in the final seconds but Clarkson missed the game-winner after getting trapped beyond the three-point line.

The Jazz fell to the 76ers 118-117.

Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.

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