Definitely, this Jazz team seems to confirm over time that it is indeed the surprise of this season, like the Pacers in the East. Big challenge this week for Lauri Markkanen and his friends, with a double reception of the Pelicans, new leaders of the Western Conference particularly in form, as evidenced by their series of seven victories. But NOLA did not emerge unscathed from the Jazz box…
FOR THE HOME SCORE BOX, IT HAPPENS HERE
Y’all can burn your previews mentioning Jazz lagging, or even outright bottom West, because UTAH is definitely playing the Playoffs (???), and bypassing the play-in box. And when the Pelicans, previously twice executioners of the Suns, show up in Salt Lake City, it is therefore to be fleeced. Zion Williamson’s good match doesn’t change anything: Jordan Clarkson is too hot, Lauri Markkanen is still an All-Star candidate, and that’s enough to make the now former leaders of the West disillusioned.
However, the team of musicians was behind at halftime, but Jordan Clarkson clearly took himself for Prime James Harden tonight again.
It’s not the first time, but above all this is not supposed to be good news for his team… and yet. Yet the American-Filipino shot like never before, finishing with 39 points at 7/14 from 3-point range by planting lightning step-backs and trying to cross all of Louisiana. And how not to talk about Lauri Markkanen. The flying Finn was ultra clutch, whether at the end of the third quarter, at the time of the Jazz run to come back to Willie Green’s men in a boiling Vivint Arena, or at the end of QT4: a big dunk in a hot moment, two throws without shaking, and a huge shot to give his team a three-point lead with 30 seconds remaining.
LAURI MARKCANEN CLUTCH ????pic.twitter.com/14TGbYEO2r
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) December 16, 2022
But the Jazz got scared. With 19 seconds on the clock, however, Zion decides to take a 2, sending Kelly Olynyk flying in the process (“put*in, he killed Kelly!”). Foul of Herbert Jones who sends Mike Conley on the line… and the culprit on the bench with the sixth. No problem for the veteran point guard. Always +3 therefore, and only 12 seconds to play. McCollum draws quickly from 3-pointers… missed. BUT, in the middle of a fairground battle, Larry Nance Jr. manages, somehow, to put a flick in the ball for Devonte ‘Graham. We come out on Zion, wide open, and… no, extra pass pour Trey Murphy, BANG ! With 2 seconds remaining, the flying Finn still has the opportunity to receive an alley-oop in ave maria mode, just enough time to be badly countered by Larry Nance: overtime, breathing.
The extension can then be renamed “Jordan Clarkson show”, without forgetting the good decisive offensive rebound of Walker Kessler. Huge victory for the friends of Michel Jonasz and second surprise against the Pels. However, the Jazz will have to keep its good rhythm (and blues) to stay in the top 8 in the west. On the program for the future? Two complicated trips to Milwaukee and Cleveland. And for New Orleans, which is giving up its western throne in favor of the Grizzlies, we imagine it’s a… sacred blow of blues. Badum tss.