Donovan Mitchell Hits Clutch Shots Late To Give Jazz Win Over Raptors

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Donovan Mitchell made some big shots and key plays late in the fourth quarter to give the Utah Jazz a 115-112 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Donovan Mitchell made all of his free throw attempts down the stretch and some big time buckets to lead the Jazz to victory over the Raptors. He finished with 31 points (22 in second half), 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, while shooting 8-of-20 from the field, 0-for-9 from the three-point line and 15-of-16 at the free throw line. Joe Ingles added 19 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert each scored 15 points while the center pulled down 16 rebounds.

Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 27 points and 9 assists. He had a open look at a three-pointer to tie the game at the buzzer but the ball went in and out of the rim. Norman Powell and Fred VanVleet dropped 17 points apiece.

The @utahjazz beat the @raptors 115-112.

Gutsy win and performance from Donovan Mitchell who finished with 31 points and was huge in the fourth quarter.

Much needed win for the Jazz. #takenote pic.twitter.com/30SZPF2I90

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

Jazz End First Half On Big Run Against Raptors

Turnovers were an issue once again for the Jazz in the first quarter as they committed three quick turnovers by the midway point of the opening period. They also made just five of their first 18 field goal attempts and was 3-for-10 from the three-point line. Despite all of that, Toronto was up by just three points with 3:21 left in the first quarter.

Toronto had a 27-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. Mike Conley and Joe Ingles each had five points for the Jazz. Chris Boucher scored 8 points off the bench to lead the Raptors.

After getting outscored 27-23 in the first quarter, the Jazz bounced back in the second to outscore Toronto 32-27 off of an 11-3 run and held a 55-54 lead at the break. It was an 11-0 run before Fred VanVleet made a buzzer beater from half court.

Ingles was the only Jazz player to score in double figures in the first half with 14 points on 4-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Donovan Mitchell added 9 points, while Jordan Clarkson had 8 points off the bench. For Toronto, VanVleet led the way with 15 points. Chris Boucher and Norman Powell chipped in 8 points apiece, while Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby each had 7 points.

Close 𝐖 but we'll take it!#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/qszlH36Qz7

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) March 20, 2021

Jazz Make Clutch Plays Down The Stretch To Beat Raptors

The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair but the Jazz edged out the Raptors 24-23 to take a 79-77 lead entering the fourth quarter. Utah tried to put Toronto away early in the fourth when they started the quarter on an 11-0 run.

But the Raptors stormed back after the Jazz were up by seven points. Toronto was up by one point with over two minutes left. Conley made a layup to give the Jazz the lead back.

Toronto made a big shot after that when Pascal Siakam missed a three-pointer, Kyle Lowry collected the offensive rebound. Lowry kicked out to Norman Powell for a triple. After the Jazz came up empty-handed on their next possession, Lowry drilled a three-pointer. Toronto had a 110-105 lead with 1:25 left in the game.

Donovan Mitchell cut the Raptors’ lead to three after knocking down a pair of free throws. Utah had a great defensive stand on Toronto’s next possession and then Mitchell slashed to the lane, made the layup while getting fouled. He knocked down the free throw to tie the game at 110 with 58 seconds left.

The Jazz got another stop before Mitchell made a midrange jumper at the foul line to give the Jazz the lead. Toronto missed a jumper on the next possession and the foul game was on. Mitchell hit two free throws to go up by three. The Raptors made a quick layup to pull within one point with 5.7 seconds remaining. Mike Conley made two free throws to go up by three points. Pascal Siakam’s potential game-tying three-pointer went in and out and the Jazz prevailed.

Utah improved their record to 30-11 on the season. They will wrap up their five-game road trip on Monday, March 22 when they face the Chicago Bulls. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. MT on AT&T SportsNet.