NBA Recap: Utah Jazz’s snatch a 95-84 win over the Indiana Pacers
Al Jefferson’s enthralling game-high 30 snapped a five-game losing streak for Utah Jazz as they relished a magnificent victory 95-84 over the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN on Friday. The Jazz finally managed
to gather a win under their new coach Tyrone Corbin since the departure of the legendary Jerry Sloan.
"It seemed like a weight was lifted off our shoulders, getting the first win, and especially getting one for Ty. Tonight was for Ty to get his first win. Hopefully, that will start a streak for us."Paul Millsap said
Millsap scored second highest 23 points in the game with a season-high 18 rebounds to put Jazz on the frontline. Al Jefferson escalated a belligerent performance in the fourth quarter by scoring 16 points of his 30 which decelerated
the Pacers who were leading the final period in the start.
Derrick Favors and Devin Harris made their first appearance as Jazz since the franchise acquired them as a result of the trade that sent Deron Williams to New Jersey.
Harris scored 14 points off the Bench to support the visiting team for an electrifying win while D. Granger scored the most from Indiana with 17 points.
The night was filled with exciting turnarounds as both the teams showed great potential.
The home team restricted the opposition to score in the starting three minutes of the first quarter, managing 5 points lead in the beginning. However Millsap and Kirilenko lifted the momentum for Jazz and combined for 14 points
as the home team took a comprehensive advantage 24-13 at the end of the first period.
Indiana amplified their pace in the second quarter to cut down the deficit and managed to bring the game towards a tie 34-34 with 4 minutes left in the halftime. A couple of free throws followed by layup shots from Jazz ended the
first half 43-38 putting Utah on the driving seat once again.
The game had its wavering moments for both the teams however Utah Jazz ensured their lead throughout the game.
The second half of the game was entirely dominated by Jefferson leaving few options for the home team to excel. Jazz continued to enlarge the lead in the third quarter however a couple of fouls awarded a number of free throws to
Indiana Pacers as they managed to cut down the deficit 65-63.
Pacers escalated another tie in the final quarter though Jefferson’s inexorable shooting in the defining moments of the play diminished all the efforts of the home team. His 16 points in the last quarter provided an outstanding
95-84 victory.
"It feels great. The guys did a great job. They made a great effort. They stayed in the game the entire 48 minutes tonight. You can't ask for anything more from them." Utah Coach said after the game as he was very pleased with
the team’s performance.
This was an important game for Utah Jazz and they finished it with style. Despite of losing their best player Deron Williams, the team showed great confidence and are determined to end the second half of the season on a high note.
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