Utah Jazz Frontcourt Duo Combine For Alley-Oop Slam
Dec 28, 2023, 6:24 PM | Updated: Dec 29, 2023, 9:52 am
John Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Moments after hitting a three, Utah Jazz all-star Lauri Markkanen found John Collins at the hoop for a rim-rocking first-quarter dunk.
Utah (13-18) looks to continue a three-game winning streak as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans (17-14) at the Smoothie King Center on Thursday, December 28.
RELATED: Markkanen Leads Utah Jazz To Blowout Win Over Spurs
˗ˏˋ ★ all-star duo ★ ˎˊ˗
vote now | https://t.co/Vvym3DbyQN pic.twitter.com/CB66I3tvqc
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 29, 2023
Collins, in his first season with the Jazz after an off-season trade with Atlanta, has been everywhere in the opening minutes. The 2017 first round pick is 3-of-4 from the field with a three for seven points.
early seven (and counting) for @jcollins20_ 🫡#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/A6pHI7fvVH
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 29, 2023
Collins entered the night averaging 13.9 points and eight rebounds this season.
New Orleans is shooting 66.7 percent as they lead 19-18 over a Jazz team hitting 58.3 percent of its shots.
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Pelicans Look To End Two-Game Home Skid
The Pels are seventh in the Western Conference and one game behind the sixth-seeded Dallas Mavericks. New Orleans has the 16th-best offensive rating (115.6) in the league and the eighth-highest defensive rating (113.3). They have lost back-to-back games home games, falling to Houston and Memphis.
The Jazz enters the matchup riding a three-game road winning streak. Utah had two road wins this season before beginning the current five-game swing.
Final stop: 𝙽𝚎𝚠 𝙾𝚛𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜 ⛽️
⏰ 6:00PM MT
📺 JAZZ+ | KJZZ
📻 @kslsportszone #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/U8VHJxzNfF— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 28, 2023
RELATED: Jazz Wrap Up Road Trip Against New Orleans Pelicans
Seven Pelicans average double-figures with Brandon Ingram’s 23.1 ppg leading the way. Former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williams is second with 22.3 points and 6.1 boards. Former Portland Trail Blazer CJ McCollum pours in 19.6 points a night on 46 percent shooting and 41.9 percent from deep.
The Jazz are 2-0 against New Orleans this season after consecutive home wins in late November. Utah bested the Pelicans 105-100 on November 25 before surviving with a 114-112 win two nights later.
Follow The Utah Jazz With KSL Sports
The Jazz return to Delta Center where they will host the Miami Heat (18-12) on Saturday, December 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. (MT). The game will be broadcast on KJZZ, Jazz+, NBA League Pass, KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), KSLSports.com, and the KSL Sports app.
