Jazz Forward Lauri Markkanen Throws Down Powerful Dunk Against Raptors
Dec 23, 2023, 5:54 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen rocked the rim with an early slam dunk during Utah’s game against the Toronto Raptors.
Lauri Markkanen jams on Raptors
The Raptors hosted the Jazz at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Saturday, December 23.
RELATED: Jazz Notes Grades: Can Utah Build Off Of Holiday Momentum?
Only 42 seconds into the night, Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk fed the ball to a cutting Markkanen. The Finnish forward drove around Toronto’s defense and through the paint for a wide-open slam dunk.
Markkanen’s right-handed hammer put Utah on the scoreboard and made it a 3-2 game.
a 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚 Markkanen start to the night 🕯️#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/2K6QFzCb61
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 24, 2023
During the first four minutes of the contest, Markkanen scored seven points on 3-6 shooting, including 1-3 on three-pointers. He added one rebound as well.
This season, the Arizona product is averaging 23.3 points per game on 48.3 percent shooting. He’s also averaging 8.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 33.2 minutes per contest.
Utah’s game against Toronto is broadcast on KJZZ, Jazz+, NBA League Pass, KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), KSLSports.com, and the KSL Sports app.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz continue their road trip against the @Raptors on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone, and:https://t.co/fbO9rrHZ6z pic.twitter.com/EPUvycHXhs
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 24, 2023
Jazz vs. Raptors
Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson is expected to return to the lineup as they travel to face the Raptors on Saturday night.
Clarkson has missed the team’s last six games with a hamstring strain.
The Jazz were 4-2 in Clarkson’s absence.
Jazz Playing Best Basketball Of Season
The Jazz will look to earn their first two-game road winning streak of the season when they face the Raptors.
At just 3-13 on the road the Jazz have been one of the NBA’s worst teams away from home, but will look to continue their recent hot streak having won four of their last six outings.
The Jazz beat the Detroit Pistons on Thursday despite missing Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Talen Horton-Tucker.
Markkanen and Clarkson will return to the lineup against the Raptors, while George and Horton-Tucker remain out.
Third stop: 𝚃𝚘𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚘 🇨🇦
⏰ 5:30PM MT
📺 JAZZ+ | KJZZ
📻 @kslsportszone #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/nZEZRvFQNf— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 23, 2023
Raptors Host Jazz On Second Night Of Back-To-Back
The Raptors will look to snap a two-game losing streak when they host the Jazz before heading out on an extended road trip. Toronto fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 121-111 despite a 31-point outing from Pascal Siakam.
After Saturday’s contest, the Raptors will play their next 10 games in 10 different cities including only one stop at home.
Final home game of 2023 🏀
It’s @TangerineHoops Raptors Game Day
⌚️: 7:30pm
📺: @Sportsnet
📻: @TSN1050Radio pic.twitter.com/F6eZ14fqQ3— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 23, 2023
Toronto has lost seven of its last nine games and has the seventh-worst net rating in the NBA during the stretch.
The Raptors are the fourth-worst three-point shooting team this season connecting on just 33.7 percent of their attempts.
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 Threads (@kyleirelandksl), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl). and X (@kyleireland).
