Jazz Throttle 76ers For Sixth Straight Win
Dec 9, 2021, 7:20 PM
Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz knocked off the Philadelphia 76ers 118-96 thanks to 22 points from All-Star Donovan Mitchell.
The guard outdueled Joel Embiid who led Philadelphia with 19 points but was hindered with a rib injury throughout the night.
With the win, the Jazz moved to 18-7, and have won six straight games.
First Quarter
The Jazz started well in Philadelphia knocking down open shots, looking like they picked up offensively where they left off against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Hassan Whiteside returned to the lineup after missing the last two games with a glute bruise and had a strong first minute blocking Joel Embiid, then finishing over him on the other end.
Fast start in Philly 🔥🏀#TakeNote #UTAvsPHI https://t.co/ml0NipeRtj
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 10, 2021
However, he used that momentum negatively to start trying to isolate in the post against Embiid afterward which led to turnovers and bad shots.
That killed the Jazz momentum, and despite nine first quarter points from Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz trailed 32-27 after one.
Second Quarter
After a clunky start for the Jazz in the second quarter, the second unit game in and gave the Jazz a strong boost.
Rudy Gay scored a quick five points, Ingles added eight first half points, and Whiteside had a bounceback second quarter to give the team some breathing room while Embiid was off the floor.
.@Joeingles7 ➡️ @RudyGay 💪#TakeNote #UTAvsPHI https://t.co/EHcNXts6rG
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 10, 2021
Mitchell had 17 points at the break to outduel Embiid who had 13 points, but scored just two after the first quarter.
At the break, the Jazz led the Sixers 61-54.
Third Quarter
The Jazz came out of the half looking to run, and despite Philly timing the lead from nine to just three at one point, Quin Snyder held off on calling a timeout.
It appeared Snyder may have been wanting to see the live-action stretch longer to wear out Embiid who is still recovering from a nasty bout with COVID earlier in this season.
Danny Green was unable to shoot over Mountain Mike. 🏔🖐#TakeNote #UTAvsPHIhttps://t.co/lc24XFc2VE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 10, 2021
It worked, as Embiid wore out, and midway through the third quarter asked out of the game and was sent back to the locker room to examine what looked like a rib injury.
The Jazz played terrific defense throughout the quarter, allowing only 22 points, and led 88-76 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Though Embiid returned to the floor in the final frame, it was clear he was still struggling to impact the game as he normally does.
The Jazz used the opportunity to continue to swarm the 76ers halfcourt offense, which led to a miserable shooting night from Philadelphia.
Though the Jazz fell short of their fourth straight game with 20 made threes, Philly knocked down just 6-29 as the Jazz ran away with their sixth straight win.
The Jazz knocked off the 76ers 118-96.
