Pacers spoil Jordan Clarkson’s scoring outburst, down Jazz

Aaron Nesmith scored 24 points to lead six players in double figures as the Indiana Pacers took control in the fourth quarter to beat the Utah Jazz, 134-118, Wednesday, November 8 (Thursday, November 9, Manila time) in Indianapolis.

Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin scored 22 points apiece, while Tyrese Haliburton scored all 16 of his points in the second half for the Pacers, who have won three of their last four games.

Jordan Clarkson fired a game-high 33 points to lead Utah, which lost its fourth straight. 

Haliburton added a game-high 13 assists, while Jalen Smith had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Pacers. Buddy Hield chipped in 10 points off the bench. 

Indiana outscored the Jazz, 33-20, in the fourth quarter in a game that featured 14 lead changes.

Lauri Markkanen had 24 points and 9 rebounds, John Collins scored 14 points, as Colin Sexton and Simone Fontecchio had 10 apiece for the Jazz.

Utah moved ahead 98-95 late in the third quarter before Indiana responded with a 25-6 run to lead by 14 with 5:49 remaining in the contest.

After Markkanen’s three-pointer cut Utah’s deficit to 122-113, Indiana regained control on Mathurin’s layup and Nesmith’s trey with 2:28 left.

Indiana, which scored at least 121 points for the fourth straight game, shot 51.5% from the field and 13-of-41 (31.7%) from three-point range.

Utah connected on 46.9% of its shots from the field, including 11-of-27 (40.7%) from beyond the arc.

Turner scored five quick points to open the game to help Indiana take an early 7-0 lead. Utah settled in and led by 10 before the Pacers closed the opening quarter on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 29-29.

Turner scored 20 points in the first half to lead all scorers. Nembhard hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give Indiana a 67-60 advantage at the break.

The Pacers maintained a single-digit lead for much of the third quarter before Kris Dunn hit a three-pointer with a minute left to put Utah ahead by three. The Pacers scored the next six points and took a 101-98 lead into the final period.

Utah played without center Walker Kessler, who was ruled out before the game due to a left elbow sprain and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. – Rappler.com