Another show of force for Utah who quickly gained confidence to put Dallas out of harm’s way, despite the absence of one of its offensive leaders, Donovan Mitchell (concussion protocol). The Mavs however recovered Josh Richardson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Dwight Powell. But this Jazz is “on a mission” as recalled by Rudy Gobert, MVP of the match with his 29 points, 20 rebounds, 3 interceptions and 3 blocks.
The Texans quickly realize the extent of the difficulty when it comes to trying to contain the French, part of the first series successful by his team, an 11-2 punctuated by an alley-oop and of a dunk of the pivot of Jazz and concluded by a 3-point from Royce O’Neale (18-8).
X factors of the evening, Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles, holder in the absence of Donovan Mitchell, enter the dance with two missiles which already carry the gap to +13 at the end of the first act (32-19).
At 3-point or dunk, Utah goes on uppercuts
Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr try to reconcile, but Jordan Clarkson is in fusion and scores 10 points in a row to increase his team to +21, a gap maintained until the break thanks to the heat stroke of Joe Ingles from afar and to the activity of Rudy Gobert, author of a last dunk to complete the almost perfect first half of the premises (69-48).
Despite all the will of the trio Doncic – Hardaway Jr – Porzingis, Dallas does not manage to worry the Jazzmen. Worse, the dunks of Rudy Gobert and Royce O’Neale are all club shots received by the Texan defense in the third quarter, just like the two 3-point long distance baskets from Joe Ingles (7/11 in total ).
Stuck at -22 at the entrance of the last act after a new show from Jordan Clarkson, Dallas finally bowed 116-104 without ever having really threatened his evening opponent, now leader of the Western Conference (and even of the NBA) after the defeat of the Lakers. This is the 10th victory in a row for Jazz!
