Jordan Clarkson double-double keys Jazz in win vs Magic

Lauri Markkanen scored 28 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and made a key defensive play to lift the Utah Jazz to a 112-108 victory over the Orlando Magic in Salt Lake City on Friday, January 13 (Saturday, January 14, Manila time).

Jordan Clarkson added 23 points and 12 rebounds, while rookie Walker Kessler totaled 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 blocked shots in the victory.

Franz Wagner led Orlando with 26 points, while rookie Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. each scored 19 points.

The Magic rallied from 7 points down in the final four minutes to briefly take the lead before the Jazz closed out their second win in a row, marking the first time in nearly four weeks that they earned consecutive wins.

Kessler grabbed a key offensive rebound with 13.4 seconds remaining after Collin Sexton, who had 18 points off the bench, missed 2 free throws in a one-point game. The center then sank 2 clutch free throws after being fouled by Banchero.

Markkanen spoiled Orlando’s ensuing game-tying effort, blocking Wagner’s three-point attempt. Markkanen grabbed the loose ball and hit 1 of 2 free throws to clinch the win.

Clarkson gave Utah a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter by hitting 3 free throws. The Magic trimmed that lead in half when Banchero scored with 3:13 left to put Utah up 105-100.

The Jazz, who had 11 of their 24 turnovers in the sloppy fourth quarter, then went scoreless until Sexton scored with 59 seconds left. The Magic took a 106-105 lead on a Mo Bamba shot with 1:18 remaining.

The teams traded leads over the next few possessions until Utah took the lead for good on a Clarkson drive with 32.5 seconds remaining.

The Jazz took their largest lead of 11 points in the first quarter on a Markkanen three-pointer and then held five-point leads at halftime and after the third quarter.

Orlando moved to 2-2 on its five-game Western Conference trip, which concludes Sunday in Denver. Utah hosts Philadelphia on Saturday. – Rappler.com