Utah Jazz Knock Down Early Threes For Hot Start Against Magic

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz led by Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, and Kelly Olynyk, hit a trio of three-pointers during a hot start against the Orlando Magic.

The Magic hosted the Jazz at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, March 9.

Utah opened the game on a 12-3 run thanks in part to strong shooting from beyond the arc and solid defense on the other end of the court.

During the first three and a half minutes of the contest, the Jazz hit three shots from downtown to propel the hot start. Those triples were knocked down by Agbaji and Markkanen followed by Olynyk.

The third triple, via Olynyk, forced the Magic to take a timeout at the 8:32 mark of the first quarter.

the road trip continues 🚗💨#StartingLineup | @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/7U6oiJsp7G

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 10, 2023

At the break, Markkanen led the Jazz with six points on 2-3 field goals.

RELATED: Jazz Face Magic, Look To Snap Four Game Losing Streak

This season, Markkanen is averaging 25.3 points per game on 51.3 percent shooting, including 40.9 percent from three.

The Jazz vs. Magic game is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.

Jazz vs. Magic

Clarkson Out, Kessler Questionable

The Jazz will look to snap their four-game losing streak when they face the Magic.

The Jazz are 0-3 to start their six-game road trip and haven’t won a game since beating the San Antonio Spurs on February 25 in Salt Lake City.

The Magic have lost two straight after a solid start to the new year.

Both Jordan Clarkson and Walker Kessler remained on the Jazz injury report after missing Tuesday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Clarkson has a sprained finger on his left hand and will miss the game while Kessler is dealing with a non-Covid illness. The standout rookie center is available in Orlando.

LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz vs. @OrlandoMagic on the @KSLSportsZone and https://t.co/4kU961V8lp.#TakeNote https://t.co/IftsvSMZXu pic.twitter.com/7X1RQcsPn8

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 10, 2023

Kris Dunn and Damian Jones got extra minutes in Clarkson and Kessler’s absence and made the most of their opportunity.

Dunn extended his six-game streak of double-digit scoring with the Jazz finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in 24 minutes off the bench.

Jones meanwhile added seven points and recorded six rebounds in 24 minutes.

The Jazz will also be without guard Collin Sexton as they look to snap their losing streak who is missing his seventh straight game with a hamstring injury.

UPDATED @UtahJazz Injury Report (as of 3/9):

*OUT – Jordan Clarkson (left hand – fourth finger sprain)

*AVAILABLE – Walker Kessler (non-Covid illness)

OUT – Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)

OUT – Collin Sexton (left hamstring strain)

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 9, 2023

Magic Playing Near .500 Basketball

After a slow start to the season, the Magic began to pick up momentum beginning in January.

Orlando had won 14 of 27 outings since January 4 before dropping back-to-back games to the Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks to open the week.

The Jazz represent the third game in a four-game homestand for the Magic which will conclude on Saturday against the Miami Heat.

Forward Jonathan Isaac is out after suffering a season-ending quad injury last week. Center Wendell Carter is also out due to a hip injury.

The Magic are led in scoring by the young duo of rookie Paolo Banchero (20.0 ppg) and second-year forward Franz Wagner (18.8 ppg).

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