Jazz
Jazz Erase 13-Point Deficit, Win Preseason Finale at Phoenix 119-116
The Jazz trailed by as many as 13 in the first half but closed the preseason finale on a 29-21 fourth quarter to beat the Suns 119-116. Utah won it at the free-throw line (32-of-37 to Phoenix's 18-of-26) and off turnovers, scoring 24 points to the Suns' 8 on that split. Both teams finish the preseason at 0-0 to show for it since none of these games count, but Utah leaves Phoenix with the better finish heading into opening night.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 3 d ago01The story of the nightSuns surge, Jazz answer latePhoenix built its night on a 35-point second quarter that pushed the lead to as much as 13 and made it 65-59 at the…
Phoenix built its night on a 35-point second quarter that pushed the lead to as much as 13 and made it 65-59 at the half. Utah chipped away in the third, outscoring the Suns 31-30 to trail 95-90 entering the fourth. The Jazz then took over, winning the final period 29-21 while Phoenix managed only 21 points on the night's lowest-scoring quarter for either side. Utah's biggest lead was only 6, but it came at the moment that mattered, flipping an eight-point deficit into a three-point win by the final horn.
02Markkanen leads a balanced Jazz attackLauri Markkanen topped all scorers with 19 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three and a perfect…
Lauri Markkanen topped all scorers with 19 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three and a perfect 6-of-6 from the line. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 on efficient 6-of-10 shooting with two steals and two blocks. Off the bench, Brice Sensabaugh poured in 16 on 5-of-9 shooting, hitting 4 of 7 threes, and Ace Bailey was perfect from the floor at 3-of-3 for 12 points. Darryn Peterson rounded out the group with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, giving Utah five players in double figures.
03Brooks and Green pace the SunsDillon Brooks and Jalen Green each scored 18 for Phoenix, with Brooks going 6-of-13 and Green hitting 6-of-13 with…
Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green each scored 18 for Phoenix, with Brooks going 6-of-13 and Green hitting 6-of-13 with three triples. Devin Booker added 16 points and a game-high-tying 6 assists, though he finished 4 turnovers against that playmaking. Jamaree Bouyea came off the bench to score 12 on 6-of-9 shooting, and Jordan Goodwin added 10. The Suns got scoring from eight different players but couldn't match Utah's efficiency at the foul line or protect the ball in the fourth quarter.
04Free throws and turnovers decided itThe box score tells the story of the margin: Utah shot 32-of-37 from the line to Phoenix's 18-of-26, a 14-point…
The box score tells the story of the margin: Utah shot 32-of-37 from the line to Phoenix's 18-of-26, a 14-point swing right there. The Jazz also turned 18 Phoenix turnovers into 24 points, while the Suns managed just 8 points off Utah's 18 giveaways. Phoenix won the battle in the paint 44-40 and out-rebounded Utah 58-51, and both benches produced almost identically, 51 for Utah to 49 for Phoenix. But the free-throw gap and the turnover conversion gap were too much for Phoenix to overcome down the stretch.
05Preseason wraps for both clubsNeither result moves a standings column, with both teams closing the exhibition slate at 0-0.
Neither result moves a standings column, with both teams closing the exhibition slate at 0-0. For Utah, the finish doubles as a confidence boost: five players scored in double figures and the bench outscored the starters, a sign of depth heading into the regular season. For Phoenix, the loss comes despite 41 made field goals and 16 made threes, exposing the same issues that will need fixing once games count, turnovers and free-throw shooting. Both teams now shift focus to opening night.
A-
B+
B+