Devin Harris leads as Utah Jazz knock Portland Trail Blazers out of the playoff contention – NBA Recap
Devin Harris led the Utah Jazz to a comfortable victory over the flailing Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night at the Rose Garden. Harris had a game high 27 points as Utah led Portland throughout the game and secured a comfortable
victory in the end.
The win helps the Jazz stay in contention for making it into the playoffs. Utah are at 8th position with this victory, 0.5 game ahead of the 9th placed Phoenix Suns. Wesley Matthews had a team high 21 points
for Portland but it was not enough to ensure a victory for his team.
Utah led from the first basket of the match when Al Jefferson sank a hook shot to give them a 2-0 lead. They opened up a 14-5 lead with a free throw by Harris and 6 minutes left in the quarter. Portland closed the period with a
10-5 run to come within 3 of Utah, trailing 23-26.
The Jazz took the game to Portland in the 2nd quarter, outscoring them 31-16. Utah went on an 11-2 run to close the 2nd period, after leading throughout. Harris had 11 points in the 2nd quarter
alone, and was hot from beyond the arc, nailing 3 shots from the distance. The Jazz led 57-39 at half time.
Gordon Hayward opened the 3rd quarter with a three pointer for the Jazz, and a layup by him later in the period gave Utah a 70-47 lead with 6:18 left in the period. The Jazz finished the quarter leading by 81-60. Utah
maintained a double figure lead throughout the 4th quarter and eventually won the game 112-91.
Harris was on fire, going 8 of 15 from the field, 6 of 10 from the distance and 5 of 6 from the foul line for his 27 points. Gordon Hayward was 8 of 11 from the field and 3 of 4 from the distance for his 23 points. He also shot
a perfect 4 of 4 from the foul line. Alec Burks added 17 points for the Jazz coming off the bench. He also had 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the night.
Wesley Matthews added 21 points for Portland and Nolan Smith had 16 points. Luke Babbitt scored 16 points and grabbed 5 rebounds for Portland, while J.J Hickson also had 16 points and 9 rebounds.
The Jazz shot 47.5% from the field and a whopping 10 of 17 from the distance. They were also 26 of 32 from the foul line on a good shooting night. Portland in comparison shot 39.2% from the field and were 6 of 20 from the three
point line. Utah won the contest in rebounding, by outrebounding Portland 49-39. They also had 23 assists compared to 18 for Portland, and managed 3 fewer turnovers than the Trail Blazers.
Utah needs to win its remaining three games of the season to secure a spot in the playoffs.
“We're right in the mix. We just have to keep continuing to take care of business. We can't afford to watch and see what anybody else is doing. We have to make sure we win our games, and whatever happens from there, happens" said
the Jazz Coach Tyrone Corbin.
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