“Staying Focused On The Right Things” | Utah Goes Cold From Beyond The Arc, Falls To Golden State

Despite a searing sizzling night time from throughout the arc for the Golden State, jazz by no means withered and saved on coming. Unfortunately, their comeback bid fell brief as Utah misplaced 129-118 to the reigning champions on Friday night time.

“Thanks to the Warriors but proud of how our boys kept up,” stated head coach Will Hardy. “Obviously a troublesome taking pictures night time. … I believed our guys re-centered after the primary quarter. In the tip we gained quarters 2, 3 and 4. … I believe for essentially the most half we performed the best way we wished to play.”

The teams combined for 90 three-point attempts, but Utah was outplayed by Golden State, 20-11. It was still a nice game in terms of ball movement, with the Jazz dishing out 28 total assists and the Warriors 33.

“We did not shoot the ball nicely,” Hardy said. “It’s actually about us watching the movie and specializing in the issues that we will management. … I consider in our group and our taking pictures. I believe we have proven that once we get 44 threes and do greater than 11 most nights, that is what I anticipate from us.”

After catching fire in the second half of Wednesday’s game against Detroit, Lauri Markkanen continued to stay hot. He remained incredibly efficient from the floor, finishing the game with 24 points and six rebounds on 9-of-17 shots from the floor and 5-of-11 from three-point territory.

He was a mismatch problem for the Warriors all night, but what made his game so impressive was that he rarely looked for shots. He constantly stayed in the flow of offense, never forcing the problem and utilizing the shots at his disposal.

With Mike Conley, so much of Utah’s offensive identity and success has fallen onto Jordan Clarkson’s shoulders — and he’s responded incredibly well.

He finished Friday night with a double-double of 21 points and 10 assists and added four rebounds. Despite struggling from three-point territory, he was electrified in reaching the basket by shooting 9-for-11 from the arc.

It wasn’t an ideal start for the Jazz, as Andrew Wiggins played well early and quickly gave Golden State a 7-0 lead. Aided by a three-pointer play from Markkanen, Utah equalized with their own 7-0 run.

Behind Steph Curry’s game, however, Golden State rose on a 30-13 run and took a 17-point lead late in the quarter. Markkanen was once again the answer for the Jazz, drilling a three to stop the bleeding as Utah trailed 37-23 after one.

The jazz settled down over the next 12 minutes, slowly finding a rhythm at both ends of the court. Walker Kessler and Nickeil Alexander-Walker were the catalysts, with Kessler dominating on defense and Alexander-Walker thriving in the point guard role.

With Markkanen shooting in time and those two playing really well, Utah went on a 16-3 run midway through game two to reduce the deficit to four, 45-41. The teams traded buckets before a quick 7-2 run from Golden State gave the Warriors some breathing room as they got into the half.

Utah was 59-51 down at the break.

The start of the third quarter belonged to Kelly Olynyk, who sparked a 10-4 run for eight points while the Jazz cut the deficit to four. After Curry knocked down a three on the following possession, Utah went on an 8-2 run to take their first lead 71-70 with seven minutes remaining in the third.

A 6-0 run by Wiggins gave the Warriors a five-point lead, but Clarkson capped it with two free throws. Toward the end of the third quarter, the Jazz lost track of Klay Thompson, and he buried three pointers on back-to-back possessions, forcing a Hardy timeout.

Malik Beasley answered for Utah, knocking down his first three on a 5-0 run. But Thompson responded with a pair of threes as Golden State ended the quarter on an 8-2 run.

The Jazz trailed 97-86 and entered fourth place.

Despite running and making buckets on offense, the Jazz couldn’t string together enough stops at the other end to put a dent early in the quarter. Whether it was a Markkanen or Beasley three-pointer, the Warriors always found a way to respond.

Utah made it an eight-point game with nine minutes remaining, but the Warriors caught fire with a 15-4 run — aided by three points from Curry and Thompson.

Led by Clarkson, jazz never gave up. They responded with a 9-0 run and seemed poised to reduce the deficit to single digits, but another three-pointer from Curry ended the threat.

“I think it’s just about keeping track of what’s important to us. … How you play is more important than the individual result,” Hardy stated. “Of course we want to win every game, but over the course of 82 games there are some differences. I think it’s about us focusing on the right things as a team.”

Olynyk completed with 21 factors and 4 rebounds whereas Jarred Vanderbilt added a double-double with 12 factors and 10 rebounds. Collin Sexton added 13 factors and 7 assists – all starters completed in double digits.

Beasley paced Utah’s bench with 10 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Alexander-Walker added eight factors, six assists and 5 rebounds whereas Kessler added eight factors, 4 rebounds and three blocks.

Curry completed with 33 factors whereas Thompson added 20 and mixed to shoot 12 of 25 from past the arc.

Utah does not have time to relaxation as they get again into motion tomorrow night time, this time touring to Phoenix to face the first-place Suns. Tipoff is about for 7:00 p.m. MST.

“Big game tomorrow,” Hardy stated.