UTAH JAZZ
Markkanen, Kessler Outduel Raptors In Jazz Win
SALT LAKE CITY – Walker Kessler and Lari Markkanen had big performances to carry the Utah Jazz to a 131-128 win over the Toronto Raptors.
Markkanen scored 28 points, marking the 19th straight game the forward has scored at least 20 points for the Jazz.
Kessler added a dominant 17 points, 14 rebound, and seven block performance to stimy the Raptors’ offense.
First Quarter
The Jazz jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead as the Raptors missed nine of their first 10 shots from the floor.
Walker Kessler had a dominant opening eight minutes recording six points, four rebounds, and four blocks for the Jazz.
Walker Kessler proving why he's a Rising Star 😤#TakeNote #NBAAllStar https://t.co/Uo0Tr4YLBl
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 2, 2023
Toronto turned up their defense in the final four minutes while Fred VanVleet led all scorers with eight points.
After one the Jazz led the Raptors 31-25.
Second Quarter
The Jazz rebuilt their lead to double-digits due in part to four first half threes from Malik Beasley.
After the Jazz three climbed to 14, the Raptors closed the half on a 13-5 run to trim the Jazz lead to as few as three.
The Jazz have 10 blocks in the first half. Walker Kessler has 6 of them 😯#TakeNote
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 2, 2023
Four Jazz players scored in double-digits, led by Beasley’s 14 and Lauri Markkanen’s 11.
At the break, the Jazz led the Raptors 65-57.
Third Quarter
The Raptors opened the half on an 11-2 run to take a 68-67 lead.
After a slow first half, Jordan Clarkson scored 10 of his 16 points in the third to help the Jazz rebuild their lead.
After a slow first half Jordan Clarkson had a BIG third quarter for the @utahjazz. #TakeNote https://t.co/CJdq3hqeUc
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 2, 2023
Through three VanVleet led all scorers with 25 points while Markkanen was up to 21 for Utah.
After three the Jazz led the Raptors 96-92.
Fourth Quarter
The Jazz got two big threes from Ochai Agbaji early in the fourth quarter to build their lead to four, 104-100.
The Raptors answered with a 5-0 run, but the Jazz responded with a 9-0 run to build a 113-105 lead.
Collin ⤵️
Walker ⤵️
Lauri ✅#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/zbMrGXJFaC— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 2, 2023
Kessler finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocks on an efficient 8-9 shooting while Markkanen added 28 to lead the Jazz.
The Jazz beat the Raptors 131-128 to move to 27-26 on the season.
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.
