Defensive lapses have repeatedly cost the Utah Jazz in close games this season.
Heading into Saturday’s game against the Orlando Magic in Salt Lake City, the Jazz are searching for answers after getting dominated in the fourth quarter of a 143-135 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
Utah led for virtually all of the first three quarters against the Lakers thanks to blistering shooting. They shot a season-best 63.4% from the field in the first half, going 26-of-41 from the floor.
Then, in the fourth quarter, the Jazz cooled off and Luka Doncic took over. Doncic posted a triple-double, going off for 45 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds and five steals. He got the shots he wanted and drew fouls when he wanted – getting to the free-throw line 16 times.
“He’s an incredible player, but it’s all those little things add up, and then the special moment happens and it’s too far gone,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said after the loss.
One positive note for the Jazz in the loss is the continued progression from Keyonte George, who had a third straight 30-point game for the first time in his NBA career. George made five 3-pointers and scored 34 points while dishing out eight assists.
He gave Utah a serious lift where leading scorer Lauri Markkanen did not play.
“He’s pretty f****** good,” Hardy said of George. “And I think it’s time that everybody gives him some respect. He’s worked hard, the way he carries himself, the way he works every day, the way he takes coaching, the way he interacts with his teammates.”
George’s consistency and improvement has had a ripple effect with his teammates who are trying to follow his example on and off the court.
“He pushed all of us, and I feel like it’s showing on the court for him,” said Isaiah Collier, who finished with 18 points and 13 assists. “I think it’s showing on the court for everybody, honestly. I think we all had a great summer.”
Orlando is looking to push the Jazz and snap a two-game road losing streak in the process.
The Magic began a four-game road swing with a 126-115 loss to Denver on Thursday night. Paolo Banchero had his third career triple-double – finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists against the Nuggets.
Statistically, Orlando dominates in many key areas that usually lead to a victory. The Magic had a 44-40 edge on the glass, outscored Denver 62-54 in the paint and had only 10 turnovers while forcing 15.
It wasn’t enough to overcome a back-breaking 35-7 run by Denver over the final 6 1/2 minutes of the second quarter that rallied the Nuggets from a 14-point deficit to a 14-point lead, giving them the lead for good.
“I thought we just didn’t do a great job of getting matched up in transition,” Banchero said. “We gave them some easy looks at threes and just let their offense really get rolling, and then that kind of contributed to our offense stalling out a little bit and they just went on a big run.”
Both Orlando and Utah enter the game in relative slumps. The Magic have lost four of their last six games while the Jazz have lost three of their last five.
