Lauri Markkanen Puts Defender On Skates, Finishes With Lefty Lay-In

Dec 20, 2022, 7:06 PM

Utah-Jazz-Forward-Lauri-Markkanen-and-Nickeil-Alexander-Walker...

Utah Jazz players Lauri Markkanen and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen scored five quick fourth quarter points as Utah tried to pull away from the Detroit Pistons.

The Jazz took on the Pistons in Detroit on Tuesday, December 20. It is the third consecutive road game for the Jazz as they look to end the road trip with a victory.

Markkanen knocked down a corner three to give his team a twelve point lead early in the final period.

Lauri three counter: 🇫🇮 🇫🇮 🇫🇮 🇫🇮 🇫🇮 🇫🇮 🇫🇮 🇫🇮
VOTE ⭐️ –> https://t.co/X4WJXzqi82…#TakeNote | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/0rHkaUVA5h

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 21, 2022

With Utah in front by nine following a Saddiq Bey three, Markkanen went to work.

Driving right to left past Marvin Bagley III, the Finnisher softly laid in his 33rd point of the night to give Utah a 102-91 lead.

Averaging 22.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in a surprise push for Aall-Star status in his first season with the Jazz, Markkanen has 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting against Detroit. He is 8-of-11 from deep tonight.

Bojan Bogdanović Welcomes Utah Jazz

Former Jazzman Bojan Bogdanovic leads his new team, the Detroit Pistons in scoring at 21.3 points per game.

Pistons PA announcer just introduced Bojan Bogdanovic as Bojan Bogdangerous — I support that.

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 21, 2022

The Jazz have come back to earth a bit after a fast start to the season. Utah has been up and down, with a 5-5 record in their past 10 games.

This game is the second and final clash this season between the Jazz and Pistons. Back on November 23, the Pistons beat the Jazz 125-116 at Vivint Arena. That was Utah’s second straight loss and would end up being a five-game losing streak.

Bojan Bogdanovic led the Pistons with 23 points. Kevin Knox II chipped in 21 points off the bench. Marvin Bagley III added 19 points. For the Jazz, Malik Beasley led the way with 29 points off the bench, including eight three-pointers. Jordan Clarkson finished with 24 points.

Jazz Look To Salvage Road Trip

After losing their first two games of the road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Jazz are sitting at 17-16 entering Tuesday’s contest against the Pistons. Detroit comes in at 8-24 on the season and has lost two straight, and five of their last six.

❄️💜 𝙄𝙏'𝙎 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀 💜❄️

Let's make The Finnisher an All Star 💫#TakeNote | #NBAAllStar

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 20, 2022

Walker Kessler got the start in place of Kelly Olynyk, who was ruled out with a left ankle sprain. Kessler is averaging 6.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.