Jazz Blow Big Lead, Survive Rockets In OT

Mar 2, 2022, 8:49 PM | Updated: 8:53 pm

Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Utah Jazz Insider

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz nearly gave away their 11th double-digit lead of the season, but survived the Houston Rockets 132-127.

The Jazz led by as much as 18 in the second half, but a furious run from the Rockets erased the Jazz lead, and a buzzer-beating three from Christian Wood sent the game to overtime.

Ultimately, three timely Mike Conley threes proved to be the difference late in the game for the Jazz.

Donovan Mitchell finished with 37 points to lead all scorers while Rudy Gobert added 27 points.

First Quarter

Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert opened the game on a hot stretch scoring the team’s first 19 points to overcome an early five-point deficit.

However, the All-Stars’ production was hurt by five first quarter turnovers giving Houston easy looks to keep the game close.

The @utahjazz All-Star duo outscored the entire Rockets team in the first quarter.#TakeNote https://t.co/eIvRdkGxh8

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 3, 2022

Mitchell had 13 first quarter points on 5-8 shooting and 3-6 from the three-point line.

After one, the Jazz led the Rockets 25-20.

Second Quarter

The Rockets opened the second quarter with a strong push and outscored the Jazz 15-9 to take a 35-34 lead.

But the Jazz answered with a 21-3 run to retake a 55-38 lead with four minutes left in the half.

.@spidadmitchell with the no-look dime.#TakeNote https://t.co/XyPtyHWrBh

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 3, 2022

Houston closed the quarter strongly trimming the Jazz lead to just 13 behind 16 points from rookie Jalen Green in the quarter.

At the break, the Jazz led 66-53.

Third Quarter

Houston kept the game close through the third quarter and trimmed the Jazz lead to as few as six points with four minutes left in the period.

The Jazz answered with a 7-3 run to rebuild their lead to double-digits.

NINE dunks! pic.twitter.com/PnNqLVm8tH

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 3, 2022

Mitchell and Gobert carried the majority of the offensive load for the Jazz with a combined 50 points on 20-26 shooting.

After three the Jazz led Houston 93-83.

Fourth Quarter

The Jazz built their lead to 14 with 6:29 left to play, but a 12-2 run from Houston trimmed it to just four with 4:23 left to play.

The Rockets erased the Jazz lead over the final six minutes of the game however pulling even at 114 with 30 seconds left to play.

🤫 pic.twitter.com/50wrhd6zqi

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 3, 2022

Mike Conley hit a three with eight seconds left to play to give the Jazz a late lead, but Christian Wood answered with a three of his own at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.