Lauri Markkanen’s situational throws fumbled, but the Finn made a convincing mark from the free throw line.
Lauri Markkanen was again the Utah Jazz’s best scorer in the NBA round of basketball. The Suomalaištahti bagged 28 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, made two assists and had one steal and one block in a home game against the Orlando Magic that ended in a 112–108 home win.
The victory was the second in a row for Jazz. In their last ten matches, Utah has three wins.
Markkanen, who played 36 minutes, had a few spot-up shots (4/13), but the Finn excelled at the free throw line (17/21). The balance of three-point shots was 3/6.
Orlando’s best scorer had recorded a balance of 26/5 Franz Wagnerso Markkanen was the point king of the match.
The Jazz led the game by five points before the fourth quarter, but the end of the game was exciting. With one minute and 18 seconds left on the game clock, the Magic took a 106-105 lead. However, the home team steeled themselves and fought for victory.
Orlando had a chance to pull even with 5.1 seconds left, but Markkanen blocked Wagner’s three-pointer. Markkanen also scored the last point of the match moments later, when he succeeded from the free throw line.
– I thought that he (Wagner) would probably try for a three, so I stayed low and tried not to break. I hit the ball and we won, Markkanen was happy to the press after the game.
Markkanen scored his only two-point basket of the match in the first quarter, but he visited the free throw line diligently and efficiently.
– Because of the opponent’s mistakes, I think I spent most of my time at the free throw line.
Utah’s games continue already next night, when the Philadelphia 76ers arrive as a guest of the Jazz.
The Jazz are in eighth place in the Western Division table. See the NBA tables through this link.