Bojan Bogdanovic dropped 24 points and Jordan Clarkson added 23 to lead the Utah Jazz to a 154-105 victory over the host Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, April 28 (Thursday, April 29, Manila time).
Georges Niang chipped in 19 points, while Rudy Gobert added 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks for the Jazz. Eight players scored in double figures to help Utah (45-17) snap a two-game losing streak and remain in first place in the Western Conference.
The Jazz set a franchise record for most points in a game. Utah averaged 41.3 points per quarter over the final three quarters.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 150 on the board before,” said Niang.
Richaun Holmes and Buddy Hield scored 18 points apiece to lead the Kings. Justin James added 16 points. Tyrese Haliburton chipped in 13 points and 8 assists.
Sacramento (25-37) could not keep pace after allowing the Jazz to shoot 64% from the field and make 24-of-41 (58.5%) of their three-pointers.
Bogdanovic scored back-to-back layups to punctuate an 8-0 run and give Utah a 26-18 lead late in the first quarter. He had an effective opening quarter, scoring 12 points to go with a block and a steal.
Sacramento cut the deficit to a point at 26-25 on back-to-back baskets from Hield and Terence Davis. Then the Jazz broke the game open to start the second quarter.
Utah scored 13 unanswered points and ripped off a 31-6 run overall to build a double-digit lead. Niang and Royce O’Neale finished off the run by combining for baskets on three straight possessions that extended the Jazz lead to 61-33 late in the second quarter.
Utah eventually built up a 76-44 halftime lead. The Jazz scored 46 points in the second quarter while holding the Kings to 17. The Jazz shot 61.9% from the field in the first half – which included 10-of-19 on three-pointers.
The Jazz played without their usual starting backcourt of Mike Conley (hamstring) and Donovan Mitchell (ankle).
Harrison Barnes (groin) sat out for Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox also missed his third straight game for the Kings due to NBA health and safety protocols. – Rappler.com
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