Markkanen, Horton-Tucker Lead Utah Jazz Offense Against Grizzlies

MEMPHIS – Lauri Markkanen and Talen Horton-Tucker led the Jazz against the Memphis Grizzlies in Utah’s first In-Season Tournament game.

The Jazz led by 13 at halftime, 76-63.

13 and counting for 5️⃣#TakeNote | @thortontucker pic.twitter.com/YeWDuKJu8R

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 11, 2023

Markkanen led Utah in scoring with 14. Horton-Tucker added 13.

Jordan Clarkson, Ochai Agbaji, and Collin Sexton all added 10 points.

Markkanen shot 57% from the floor in the first half. Easy looks inside the paint allowed the Jazz to shoot 64% as a team.

double the 𝗗𝗨𝗡𝗞𝗦
double the *IST* 𝗙𝗨𝗡@MarkkanenLauri | @YoungOch pic.twitter.com/Vai0WuH4FJ

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 11, 2023

Only one Jazz player shot under 50% in the first half.

Keyonte George shot 0/4 with former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart guarding him.

Jazz Face Grizzlies In First In-Season Tournament Game

The Utah Jazz will look to win their first in-season tournament game when they face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

The Jazz have lost three straight games on their current road trip, and are winless in five road games this season.

The Grizzlies meanwhile own the worst record in the NBA at 1-7.

Jazz coach Will Hardy made a major shakeup to his starting lineup in Wednesday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers.

The @utahjazz made a significant change putting Keyonte George in the starting lineup against the @pacers.

Who benefited, and who was hurt by the move?

And, what did Will Hardy say about the rookie’s performance?#TakeNote https://t.co/4WD08ujzer

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 9, 2023

Rookie Keyonte George got the first start of his NBA career. He recorded seven points, nine assists, and just one turnover on 3-8 shooting.

“I think overall his poise and communication tonight was fantastic,” Hardy said of George’s performance.

Second-year wing Ochai Agbaji was also moved into the starting lineup. This move came after it was announced that Walker Kessler would be sidelined for at least two weeks.

The 2-7 Jazz own the fourth-worst defensive rating in the NBA and have given up 120 points or more in five of their nine outings this season.

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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.

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