Clarkson, Agbaji Buries Threes To Give Jazz Lead Over Pacers

SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz guards Jordan Clarkson and Ochai Agbaji connected on a pair of three-pointers in the second quarter to give Utah a lead over the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers hosted the Jazz at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday, February 13.

With 5:02 remaining in the first half, Clarkson knocked down a 25-foot jump shot to cut Indiana’s lead to one-point. Exactly a minute later, Agbaji buried a 23-footer to give the Jazz a two-point advantage, 45-43.

Ochai is shooting 100% from three on Mondays (not a real stat, but feels like it) pic.twitter.com/jtoDhWYnpf

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 14, 2023

At halftime, the Jazz owned a 53-51 lead.

During the opening 24 minutes of game time, Clarkson had seven points on 3-9 shooting, including 1-3 from downtown. Agbaji had three points on 1-3 field goals.

This season, Clarkson is averaging 20.9 points per contest on 44.6 percent shooting, including 34.0 percent from three. Agbaji is averaging 4.1 points per game on 48.6 percent shooting overall and 39.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Every time Ochai Agbaji shoots I think it's going in.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 14, 2023

Utah’s game against Indiana is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.

Jazz vs. Pacers

Westbrook Out For Utah

Though Russell Westbrook is officially a member of the Jazz he is not with the team in Indiana.

The future Hall of Fame guard was acquired by the Jazz at the deadline but the team is giving him space to decide his future.

“We are open to all sorts of possibilities with him,” Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said. “And he has been very positive on being here in Utah and we’ve been very open to the possibilities of him.”

Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones, the two other players acquired in last week’s trade were in uniform for the Jazz on Saturday but did not take the floor against the Knicks.

LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz vs. @Pacers on https://t.co/4kU961V8lp and the @KSLSportsZone.#TakeNote https://t.co/d5NfbIaBmg pic.twitter.com/txnX4Xmrlp

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 14, 2023

Pacers Slumping Into All-Star Break

After a surprisingly hot start to the season, the Pacers have struggled as they prepare for the All-Star break.

Despite guard Tyrese Haliburton earning his first All-Star nod, the Pacers are just 2-8 in their last 10 games and have lost four straight.

RELATED: KSL Sports Live Exclusive: Jazz Forward Lauri Markkanen Talks All-Star Season

Over their last 10 games, the Pacers have the fourth-worst Net Rating in the NBA and are ranked in the bottom 10 in both offensive and defensive rating.

The Pacers own the sixth-worst record in the NBA this season at 25-33.

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