Markkanen was Utah’s most effective player when the team overcame the Toronto Raptors in the final quarter and won the match 122–116.
Basketball in the NBA Lauri Markkanen The Utah Jazz pushed for an away win over the Toronto Raptors. Utah trailed 83-96 after three quarters, but came out victorious in the last quarter.
Collin Sexton and Markkanen brought Utah to level with just over two minutes left in the match. Markkanen moved the Jazz to a 115–114 lead from the free throw line with 2:07 left on the Game Clock. After this, Utah did not give up its leading position. Final scores 122-116 for Utah.
A Utah victory didn’t seem likely before the game. The team had been on a three game losing streak and Toronto had three wins under. In addition, Utah sold their key players this week Mike Conley’s, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley’s and By Nickeil Alexander-Walker to get the first round reservation number.
The Jazz operated with a narrow group in the match, because those traded to Utah Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones were still on the sidelines of the team.
Especially the high-paid Westbrook’s role in the team is uncertain. Utah may buy him out of his contract.
Losing familiar players was a Utah player Kelly Olyny too including an emotional moment.
– Wednesday night was a tough one for us. We lost four guys who are practically family. You just have to go ahead and play. We still have a lot of talented players. They want to improve and play better together every day. We saw it today, Olynyk said after the game (you move to another service).
Utah head coach Will Hardy was proud of how the team managed to get themselves together for the match.
– Everyone was focused throughout the match. A great team win. Today everyone had already calmed down a bit. The deadline pressures of the player trade are behind us. Everyone understands their role in the team and the players gave their all, Hardy said (You’re moving to another service).
As usual, Markkanen was Utah’s best scorer. The Finn scored 23 points, grabbed nine rebounds and gave five assists. He sank 9/13 from two-pointers and 2/7 from three-pointers. Markkanen sank all three of his free throws. Also Walker Kessler beat Utah to 23 points.
The most efficient player of the entire match was from Toronto Pascal Siakamwho pocketed the ball in the basket for 35 points.
Utah is in tenth place in the NBA’s Western Conference, which is the last ranking that qualifies for the playoffs. It next faces the New York Knicks at home on Sunday morning Finnish time.
NBA standings.
Updated story at 10:34 a.m.: Markkanen hit 9/13 of his two-point shots, not 9/20.