Lauri Markkanen Leads Utah Jazz To Blowout Win Over Spurs
Dec 26, 2023, 8:28 PM
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) shoots a free throw during an NBA basketball game between the Utah Jazz and Orlando Magic at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)
SAN ANTONIO – The Utah Jazz coasted to a blowout win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.
With the win, the Jazz have come out on top in six of their last eight games.
Lauri Markkanen led all scorers with 31 points on 12/17 from the floor.
First Quarter
The Jazz fell behind early thanks to hot shooting from the Spurs in front of the home crowd.
Over 75% of San Antonio’s field goals in the first quarter came off of an assist.
Meanwhile, Utah couldn’t get anything to fall from deep which made it much harder to keep up.
The Jazz trail by double-digits in the first quarter and have struggled to keep up with the Spurs offense.
San Antonio has assisted on 10 of their first 13 field goals and has made five more threes than Utah.#TakeNote https://t.co/xVcyyqRiAN
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2023
The Jazz made just one of their first eight attempts from three.
Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler combined for 16 of Utah’s 27 first-quarter points.
Sparked by some substitutions, the Jazz went on a 10-0 run to close the quarter and trailed by just five, 32-27, going into the second.
After trailing by as much as 15, Utah closed the San Antonio lead to five heading into the second. Kessler and Sexton each put up 8.
END Q1@utahjazz 27@spurs 32 #TakeNote https://t.co/X6yrd2WT9c
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2023
Second Quarter
Utah kept the ball rolling early in the second as they outscored San Antonio 11-5 to take their first lead of the game.
Jordan Clarkson caught fire for Utah in the second. He scored nine points in the first five minutes.
After bringing the game all the way back, the Jazz went shot for shot with the Spurs.
After taking their first lead of the game, Utah has fought to stay in front.
Jazz lead by one with 4:30 left following seven lead changes in the second quarter.#TakeNotehttps://t.co/phYnphwFGl
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2023
Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama gave the Jazz some problems in the first half but Utah did an overall good job of containing him.
He finished the half with 10 points and three rebounds on 4/8 shooting.
Lauri Markkanen led all scorers with 15 in the first half. Sexton and Clarkson were the only other Jazzmen to reach double figures through two quarters.
Utah led by four at the break, 64-60.
The Jazz came back from an early deficit and lead by four going into the break. Lauri Markkanen leads all scorers with 15. Keyonte George has four points in his return from injury.
HALFTIME@utahjazz 64@spurs 60#TakeNote https://t.co/mn4ZnVw24E
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2023
Third Quarter
The Jazz fired on all cylinders after halftime.
A 9-2 run gave Utah their largest lead of the game at 11.
Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell scored the next 11 points for the Spurs as San Antonio clawed back within four.
Utah came out on fire after the half but San Antonio rallied to close the lead back down to four. Sexton is up to 18 points with three makes in the third including this ridiculous dunk. 👀#TakeNote https://t.co/XNe1pnW1xo
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2023
The Spurs continued to pour in shots as they closed Utah’s lead to two with three minutes left in the quarter.
San Antonio closed the lead to one but a three-point barrage from Utah didn’t leave much room for error.
The Jazz shot 6/14 from deep in the third including five straight to end the quarter.
The Jazz ended the third with five straight makes from deep and lead by seven going into the final quarter.
END 3Q @utahjazz 100@spurs 93#TakeNote https://t.co/WNIuxtMOcG
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2023
Utah led by seven with 12 minutes to play, 100-93.
Fourth Quarter
The quarter change didn’t do anything to Utah’s game plan.
The Jazz opened the fourth with three straight jump shots.
On top of the offensive showcase, Utah locked San Antonio down on the other end. The Spurs made just one of their first eight shot attempts.
Great Jazz defense forced the Spurs to shoot 1/8 to start the fourth. Utah capitalized with three makes from behind the arc to take a 16-point lead.
Six minutes left in San Antonio…#TakeNote https://t.co/kobBUjtd8B
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2023
Markkanen had a second-straight 30-point game on his mind as he scored 11 points to get up to 28 with five minutes left.
A fifth three-point make gave Markkanen 31 with three minutes left in regulation.
Utah stayed red hot for the entirety of the fourth and closed out the Spurs, 130-118.
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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.
