Jazz Offense Gets Hot, Beat Bulls For First Win Of Season
Nov 4, 2024, 9:53 PM | Updated: Nov 5, 2024, 2:39 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz earned their first win of the season downing the Chicago Bulls on the road 135-126.
Keyonte George matched a career-high with 33 points to break out of his offensive slump.
The Bulls were led by Coby White who scored 28 points.
Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen (back spasms) and Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine (shoulder) both missed the game.
Jazz Offense Finally Finds Rhythm Against Bulls
The Jazz had been the NBA’s worst offensive team through the first two weeks of the season, struggling with three-point shooting and turnovers.
With an offensive rating of 97.7, the Jazz were a full eight points worse than the 29th-ranked Bulls entering Monday’s game, and the only team in the NBA who had failed to break the 100-point mark three times this season.
“Starting the season 0-6 is not easy, and with the injuries and things that have gone on and changing lineups, I’m just — I’m proud of them and the way that they’ve stuck together,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
the bench is ✨loving✨ it pic.twitter.com/ayo7VcNFcV
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 5, 2024
The main issues offensively had been their three-point shooting, averaging a league-worst 28 percent from downtown, and turnovers, ranking dead last at over 20 per game.
They flipped the script in Chicago canning 16 of their 35 three-point attempts while committing just 13 turnovers.
Keyonte George had been one of the main culprits for the Jazz’s slow offensive start, but has now laced together back-to-back impressive outings to stem his early-season slump.
Related: Keyonte George Dunks Over Bulls
Against Chicago, the second-year guard made a concerted effort to get into the paint where he either finished at the rim or earned trips to the free-throw line.
George’s 11 made free throws eclipsed his previous career-high for attempts (10).
“I just wanted to do whatever it took to win,” George said, “obviously, human nature, it felt good for a couple [of shots] to go in.”
“That’s the way we hoop” 🎙️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/S8nanPi8Fn
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 5, 2024
The 20-year-old repeatedly collapsed the Bulls’ defense which allowed him to set his teammates up for easy, while also creating room for his own three-point shot.
George knocked down 6-12 from downtown and recorded nine assists, his highest total since February 29 last season.
Jazz Got Solid Contributions Throughout Roster
Though George’s breakout was the story of the game, several Jazz players played a key role in the team’s victory over the Bulls.
Rookie Cody Williams flashed his potential setting career-highs with 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
keepin’ up with cody 🤙 pic.twitter.com/ppCYPiS554
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 5, 2024
Walker Kessler continued his strong play to open the season recording his fourth double-double with 12 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks in 31 minutes.
Collin Sexton also knocked down several key baskets, scoring 24 points and dishing out five assists, while shooting 4-6 from three.
Most notably, John Collins had his best game in a Jazz uniform scoring 28 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and handing out five assists.
Related: John Collins Throws Down Poster Against Bulls
“We have a great group of guys who lean on that positive spirit,” Collins said. “That’s going to be big for us, to not get too high or too low.”
By design, wins won’t come easy for this Jazz roster laden with youth, but with a full team effort, and some luck shooting the ball, they’ll stack up enough wins to keep the fanbase entertained.
Utah Jazz Next Broadcast
The Jazz will travel to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday at 6 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
