Surging Utah Jazz hold off Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz have now received 8 of their final 9

Utah Jazz heart Rudy Gobert (27) drives on Phoenix Suns heart Deandre Ayton (22) throughout the first half of an NBA basketball recreation, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photograph/Matt York)

By David Brandt | The Related Press

  | Feb. 27, 2022, 11:18 p.m.

Phoenix • Donovan Mitchell scored 26 factors, Rudy Gobert added 16 factors and 14 rebounds and the Utah Jazz stayed sizzling with a 118-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Utah has received eight of its previous 9 video games and improved to 38-22. Phoenix — which nonetheless has the most effective document within the NBA at 49-12 — has misplaced back-to-back video games for the primary time in two months.

Utah’s been a little bit inconsistent this season, however is enjoying properly now that its deep roster is usually wholesome. Jordan Clarkson had 22 factors on 10-of-17 taking pictures — a part of the Utah second unit that performed properly and outscored Phoenix’s bench 43-11.

The Jazz used a 16-3 run late within the third quarter to take a 94-89 benefit heading into the fourth quarter. It stayed tight all through a lot of the ultimate minutes however the Jazz have been capable of maintain their lead, helped by Mitchell’s banked-in 3-pointer with 1:50 remaining that put them up 10.

The Jazz shot 17 of 40 (42.5%) from 3-point vary. Mitchell made six of them.

Devin Booke led Phoenix with 30 factors. Cameron Johnson and Deandre Ayton every added 23. Phoenix had an opportunity to tie the sport within the ultimate second, however Jae Crowder threw the ball out of bounds.

Phoenix has performed its previous three video games with out All-Star level guard Chris Paul, who broke his thumb on Feb. 16 and might be out the remainder of the common season. The Suns have a 1-2 document in these video games.

The Suns rallied for a 60-56 halftime lead after trailing for a lot of the second quarter. Ayton had 17 factors on 8 of 10 taking pictures earlier than the break whereas Mitchell scored 11 for the Jazz.

TIP-INS

Jazz: Rudy Homosexual performed Sunday after lacking the earlier six video games with proper knee soreness and a non-COVID sickness. … Gobert had a season-high eight offensive rebounds.

Suns: Made 10 of their first 11 pictures, scoring 24 factors within the first six minutes of the primary quarter. … G Aaron Vacation returned after lacking one recreation with a sprained ankle. … Welcomed their 18th straight sellout crowd to the Footprint Middle.

UP NEXT

Jazz journey to play Houston on Wednesday evening.

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