Shorthanded Jazz Come Up Short Against Suns

SALT LAKE CITY – The shorthanded Utah Jazz put up an admirable effort but ultimately ran out of gas against the healthier Phoenix Suns.

Jordan Clarkson had 22 points to lead the Jazz but was outdueled by Chris Paul who took over the Suns in the fourth quarter with 15 points to give the Suns the 115-109 victory.

With the loss the Jazz fell to 2-8 in their last 10 games.

First Quarter

The shorthanded Jazz were heavily reliant on Trent Forrest to open the game and the second-year guard continued to show promise.

Forrest scored seven points with a nice mixture of attacking the rim while still running the offense and turning defense into transition opportunities.

🌲🏀 @TForrest_11 🏀🌲#TakeNote #UTAvsPHXhttps://t.co/WqA9pM4t38

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 25, 2022

Devin Booker meanwhile attempted 13 field goal attempts in the first quarter en route to 17 points to help build a double-digit lead.

After one, the Jazz trailed the Suns 31-21.

Second Quarter

The Jazz found a better rhythm in the second quarter behind a more concentrated attack against the Suns in the paint which opened opportunities on the perimeter.

Jordan Clarkson and Rudy Gay each had seven points in the quarter as the Jazz used a 21-10 run in quarter to erase the Suns 13 point lead.

Second-round pick Jared Butler showing promise for the @utahjazz in Phoenix. 🎷🎷🔥#TakeNote #UTAvsPHXhttps://t.co/KehAGSfu2Z

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 25, 2022

At the break, the Jazz had knocked down 52 percent of their field goals and 42 percent of their threes.

After two, the Jazz trailed the Suns 58-56.

Third Quarter

The Jazz offense continued to click in the second half as the team found success targeting Booker in the half court.

Danuel House Jr. scored seven points in the quarter by showing a willingness to run and attack the paint.

.@JordanClarksons sunk this over the 🌳s.#TakeNote #UTAvsPHXhttps://t.co/urbbTEN7kf

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 25, 2022

Booker meanwhile got back to his scoring ways carrying the Suns offense with 14 points on 5-12 shooting.

After three, the Jazz led the Suns 87-85.

Fourth Quarter

Chris Paul took over the game in the fourth quarter as he repeatedly exploited the Jazz bigs who got switched onto him.

On offense, the Jazz ran out of gas and stopped moving the ball against the Phoenix defense as the team managed just 22 points in the final frame.

HUGH3️⃣S #TakeNote #UTAvsPHX https://t.co/HVBTrmrKWq

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 25, 2022

The Jazz were led by Clarkson who finished with 22 points on 9-20 shooting while seven of the nine players who saw the floor finished in double-digits.

The Jazz fell in Phoenix 115-109.

 

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