UTAH JAZZ
Jazz Host Slumping Spurs After Overtime Thriller
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz will host the lowly San Antonio Spurs on Saturday on the front end of back-to-back matchups between the teams.
The Jazz are coming off a thrilling overtime victory at home on Thursday over the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-119.
The Spurs meanwhile lost their first game out of the All-Star break after falling to the Dallas Mavericks 142-116.
Markkanen, Kessler Shine Post All-Star
The Jazz frontcourt of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler looked refreshed after the All-Star weekend, despite playing major roles in the festivities.
Markkanen followed up his first All-Star appearance with a dominant 43-point, 10-rebound performance against the Thunder that included 24 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The @utahjazz frontcourt of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler dominated in an overtime win over the @okcthunder. #TakeNote https://t.co/xE0SuTW3gZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 24, 2023
Kessler helped send the game to overtime after scoring the game-tying putback with four seconds left in regulation, then blocking the would-be game-winner by guard Isaiah Joe.
Fresh off of appearances in the Rising Stars Challenge and the Skills Competition, Kessler finished with seven points, 18 rebounds, and seven blocks in the win.
Spurs Have Lost 15 Straight
The Spurs are amid their worst stretch of the season having lost 15 straight games dating back to January 20.
The contests haven’t been particularly close with the Spurs losing by an average margin of 15.5 points per game.
Final from Dallas. Off to Utah to finish up the Rodeo Roadtrip✈️ #PorVida | @FrostBank | #ad pic.twitter.com/WSGx29pNsi
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 24, 2023
The Jazz represent the final two games of a nine-game road swing as part of the Spurs annual rodeo road trip.
San Antonio hasn’t played in a front of a home crowd since February 3 in a 137-125 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The two teams will play Saturday and Tuesday before the Spurs return to San Antonio where they will play eight of their next nine games.
Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs Broadcast
The Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs will tip off at 7 pm MT in Salt Lake City on Saturday. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
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.
