Lauri Markkanen Saves Ball, Throws No-Look Assist During Jazz-Bulls Game
Nov 6, 2023, 7:51 PM
Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a dunk against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center on January 07, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen saved a loose ball from going out of bounds before throwing a no-look backward pass for a basket during Utah’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen makes wild play against Bulls
The Bulls hosted the Jazz at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on Monday, November 6.
With 3:29 to play in the first half, Jazz rookie Keyonte George passed the ball to Markkanen behind the three-point line. The forward was unable to collect the ball and it bounced toward the backcourt and sideline. Before going out of bounds, Markkanen saved the ball and threw a high-flying no-look pass over his head. Remarkably, the ball landed in the paint and Utah’s Kelly Olynyk put it into the hoop for a Jazz field goal.
Olynyk’s bucket trimmed Chicago’s lead to 57-46.
ah yes, just like it was drawn up 📋#TakeNote | @KellyOlynyk pic.twitter.com/xDxE4w0dfP
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 7, 2023
This season, Olynyk is averaging 7.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.1 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game.
Through the first seven games of the season, Markkanen is recording 23.3 points per contest on 46.3 percent shooting.
Utah’s game against Chicago is broadcast on KJZZ, Jazz+, NBA League Pass, KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), KSLSports.com, and the KSL Sports app.
Jazz vs. Bulls
The 2-5 Jazz will travel to face the 2-5 Bulls in a battle of underperforming teams.
The Jazz are facing Chicago in the second stop of their four-game midwestern road trip.
RELATED: Jazz Backcourt Continues To Flounder In Loss To Timberwolves
The Bulls meanwhile return home after playing four of their last five games on the road.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz continue their road trip against the @chicagobulls on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone, and:https://t.co/FrVG0bMTU7 pic.twitter.com/VqvcUQcnIJ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 7, 2023
RELATED STORIES
Jazz Guards Slumping
The Jazz head into Chicago looking to find some consistency in a so-far underperforming backcourt.
Starters Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker are both shooting below 40 percent to open the season to hamstring a struggling offense.
Kris Dunn was shooting just 34 percent through the first six games of the year but didn’t see the floor in Saturday’s blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Heading into Monday’s contest the Jazz own the 17th-ranked offense, the 27th-ranked defense, and the 27th-ranked net rating at -6.8 points per 100 possessions.
Bulls Hope To Snap Losing Streak
The Bulls will host the Jazz hoping to snap a three-game losing streak including Saturday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets.
The Jazz are in the building tonight.
⏰ 7 pm CT
📺 @NBCSChicago
📻 @670TheScore pic.twitter.com/aiXt1UThTe— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 6, 2023
Chicago’s guards are having their own struggles on the offensive end with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Coby White all shooting below 32 percent from the three-point line.
As a team, the Bulls are shooting just 31 percent from downtown and rank second-last in the NBA in threes made per game.
Compounding the issue, the Bulls own the 23rd-ranked defense in the NBA, and the second-worst net rating at -8.8.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on X/Twitter (@kyleireland), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl), and Threads (@kyleirelandksl).
