Five Things To Know

Ryan Kostecka

After a three-day break in which the Jazz were able to get some much-needed practice time and recovery for their bodies, Utah found itself locked in battle with Toronto late in the fourth quarter Wednesday night.&nbsp;

Good thing the Jazz got the time to rest and recover because when much came to shove in the clutch, it was Utah who was making the winning plays. Physical defense and impressive shotmaking helped the Jazz prevail and walk away with a 131-128 victory over the Raptors. 

"A good team win against a hard-playing, really physical team," head coach Will Hardy said postgame. "Our emphasis in the second half was to maintain our space, make early decisions, don't over-dribble, and rebound as a team. … Overall, I thought our initial physicality in the game was great and helped us maintain our mindset and aggressiveness throughout the game. We matched their physicality."

Here are five things to know following the win:

1.) Blocker Kessler's Special NightAfter being named to the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars Game on Tuesday, Walker Kessler was impressive against the smaller Raptors on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

To say that Kessler dominated the paint would be an understatement — he was that good as Toronto had a challenging time scoring in the paint with Kessler looming. He finished with his 11th double-double of the season by posting 17 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocks. His six blocks in the opening quarter were the most by anybody in the league this season.

Kessler also became the second-fastest Jazz player to reach 100 career blocks, doing so in 50 games. Mark Eaton, one of the greatest shot blocks of all time, reached 100 blocks in just 48 games.&nbsp;

While Kessler continues to dominate, one has to wonder if he might be the one who breaks Utah's triple-double curse? It has been 5,467 days since a Jazz player last recorded a triple-double in the regular season — a 22-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist performance from Carlos Boozer. Although it's still early in his career, it's safe to say that Kessler may just be the person to break through for the Jazz.&nbsp;

2.) Depth Is The Star Of The NightWhile there were outstanding individual performances from several players on Wednesday, the night's real star came from the Jazz as a whole. Their depth was fully displayed as six players scored in double figures, led by Lauri Markkanen's 28 points and Kessler's 17.&nbsp;

Jordan Clarkson finished with an extremely quiet 23 points, shooting 8-of-17 from the floor and 5-for-12 from deep. Mike Conley chipped in a season-high 19 points. But where the Jazz really differentiate from many of their opponents is their depth coming off the bench — and that's where Collin Sexton and Malik Beasley shined brightest.&nbsp;

Sexton dropped 10 of his 12 points in the first quarter, giving the Jazz the spark they needed. Malik Beasley finished with 14 points on 4-for-11 from deep, being the long ball threat the Jazz needed.&nbsp;

"Six guys in double figures, those nights are always indicators to me that a lot of guys were making plays," Hardy said. "The guys executed well, I thought our ball movement was tremendous. … We give ourselves a chance in what seems to be a season of close games."

3.) Markkanen Finds Out His Fate On ThursdayWith Kessler finding out his All-Star fate on Tuesday, Lauri Markkanen will find out his fate on Thursday when the reserves for the All-Star game are announced later that night. But if Wednesday was Markkanen's last chance to impress the selection committee, consider it a successful showing.

He finished with his 20th double-double of the season, posting 28 points and 13 rebounds on 7-of-13 shooting from the field, 4-for-9 from beyond the arc, and 10-of-10 from the free throw line.&nbsp;

When the Jazz needed him most, he rose to the occasion. He scored 17 points in the second half and then added seven points and three rebounds in the final eight minutes to help seal the victory.&nbsp;

4.) Conley A Dominant Floor GeneralAlthough it may be his 16th season in the league, Conley continues to be one of the better pure point guards in the game — and Wednesday was more of the same.&nbsp;

He finished with a season-high 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting, adding eight assists, three rebounds, and two blocks. He also shot a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line.

With Markkanen, Kessler, and Jordan Clarkson getting most of the headlines — and deservedly so — Conley continues to arguably be Utah's most important player. His calming demeanor in the clutch, always ensuring the Jazz aren't rushed and get into their offense, can't be understated.&nbsp;

"Mike has been such a steadying force for us late in games," Hardy said. "He and I have developed a very good communication about what we would like to do, and he does a good job communicating that to the team and getting them organized. … His decision-making continues to be great late in games."

5.) Stats AnomalyIf one were to look at a key number of stats that usually determine whether a team wins or loses in the NBA, the Jazz should've been run out of Vivint Arena by the Raptors on Wednesday.

Toronto took 110 shots on the night, 27 more than Utah's 83 field goal attempts. The Raptors also out-rebounded the Jazz 52-49 but grabbed a season-high 25 offensive rebounds. They won the turnover battle 16-8 and finished with 11 steals, scoring more fast break points and points in the paint.&nbsp;

So how on earth did the Jazz not just get beatdown but somehow walk away with their seventh victory in their past 10 games?

To put it easily, Utah was the significantly more efficient team on the night.&nbsp;

The Jazz outscored the Raptors by 21 from beyond the arc while shooting a ridiculous 75% (27-for-36) on shots inside the three-point line. Combine that with an impressive 26-of-30 showing from the free throw line, and Utah somehow emerged victorious.&nbsp;

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"We Matched Their Physicality" | Five Things To Know Following Utah's Victory Over Toronto

Saturday's showdown between Utah and Dallas was just another fun chapter in what's quickly emerging as an entertaining rivalry between the two teams.&nbsp;

A late 9-2 run by Dallas had trimmed Utah's 19-point third quarter lead down to five with just over two minutes. But as he'd done all season, Lauri Markkanen answered the call for the Jazz — delivering a knockout three-pointer on the ensuing possession.

Utah would eventually hang on for the 108-100 victory, their sixth win in the past nine games.&nbsp;

"I want to give our guys a lot of credit," head coach Will Hardy said. "That's not an easy game to play in. … It takes a ton of mental focus to maintain an understanding of what's going on for 48 minutes. We stayed with it and executed what we wanted to."

Here are five things to know following the win:&nbsp;

1.) Markkanen Makes StatementAlthough he would never admit it, Markkanen made a statement on Saturday night.&nbsp;

After speaking with the media on Friday following the announcement of the All-Star game starters on Thursday, Markkanen acknowledged that he saw who was listed for the upcoming showcase in February.&nbsp;

While his name was absent from the list — despite garnering a ton of fanfare and respect from the national media — Markkanen insisted that he would keep doing what he's been doing all season long.&nbsp;

He more than lived up to those words with another strong performance against Dallas and its contingent of talented wing defenders. He finished with 29 points and five rebounds, shooting 11-of-20 from the floor and 4-for-8 from deep. Most impressive, he rose to the occasion when the Jazz needed him most, scoring 12 points in the final 12 minutes.&nbsp;

2.) Beasley Breaks OutAfter beginning the year scorching hot from beyond the arc, Malik Beasley had cooled down in January after connecting on just 30.7% of his threes.

On Saturday night, he looked like his old self again.

Again giving the Jazz a huge spark off the bench — particularly in the second half — Beasley finished 5-of-11 from three-point territory en route to 19 points. He also added four rebounds and two steals in 28 minutes.&nbsp;

"I thought Malik took some good ones," Hardy said. "Malik is somebody that we have the utmost confidence in shooting the ball. Any good shooter can go through a slump, but I thought his legs had a little more pop tonight. … I thought he did a good job."

3.) Trapping Defense Has SuccessJust 72 hours after Damian Lillard torched Utah for 60 points on 29 shots — making a living by getting to the rim — the Jazz faced another talented isolation scorer on Saturday in Dallas' Spencer Dinwiddie.&nbsp;

Rather than letting Dinwiddie get on a heater like Lillard did, Hardy and the Jazz implored a different type of defense — they aggressively trapped Dinwiddie and forced him to give up the ball and make someone else beat them.&nbsp;

The plan worked as Utah communicated very well, and their rotations were impressive as they still contested three-pointers on the regular. The Jazz also did an excellent job of protecting the rim, limiting Dallas to 28 points on 27 shots in the paint.&nbsp;

"I thought we were way more connected tonight," Hardy said. "We didn't give up many layups, which I thought was huge. … I thought our rotations were much cleaner, we forced a few more turnovers, and I think the shots that did what he did make were very hard. They only had 28 points in the paint, which means we were able to maintain our concept without giving up points in the paint."

4.) Kessler Stays In The Starting LineupWith opening-day starter Kelly Olynyk returning against Dallas, one of the first questions asked of Hardy was whether or not Walker Kessler — who replaced Olynyk admirably — would remain in the starting lineup or go back to the bench.&nbsp;

Without hesitation, Hardy said Kessler would start alongside Olynyk and Markkanen, giving Utah three 7-footers in their opening lineup. Kessler made good on the faith shown in him, finishing with his 10th double-double of the season and fifth this month.&nbsp;

Kessler stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor. He was also dominant on the defensive end, finishing with five blocks, the third-most in his young career.

5.) Wild Wild WestSaying that the Western Conference is adventurous doesn't even begin to break down just how convoluted the standings are.&nbsp;

The Sacramento Kings — yes, those Sacramento Kings — currently sit in the No. 3 seed at 27-21. The Los Angeles Lakers — yes, those Los Angeles Lakers — currently sit in the No. 13 seed at 23-27. That means the Kings now have a five-game lead on the Lakers, with nine other teams sitting between them.&nbsp;

Now back to .500 at 26-26, the Jazz are one of those nine teams. They currently sit in the No. 10 seed, just one game out of fifth and a 1/2 game of 11th.&nbsp;

The good news is that Utah appears to have found its stride over the past two weeks, winning six of nine. With the return of Olynyk, the Jazz haven't been this healthy since the season's opening month — when they started 10-3. Utah has four straight home games over the next 10 days and a chance to make a statement and continue its climb up the rankings.&nbsp;

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"It's A Good Win For Us" | Five Things To Know Following Utah's Victory Over Dallas

Playing against a depleted Charlotte team on Monday night, the Jazz did precisely what was expected of them — even if it took a little longer than planned.

Despite a good effort from the Hornets, Utah's defense and elite shooting from deep prevailed as the Jazz won for the fifth time in seven games, taking down Charlotte 120-102 on Monday.

"Overall just a good, solid team win," head coach Will Hardy said. "That was four quarters of good defense for the most part. They're better than their record. … I think that our guys gave them the appropriate respect and came out and competed on both ends."

1.) Markkanen Ultra-EfficientIn what's already become the norm, Lauri Markkanen was sensational on Monday night against the Hornets.

On another efficient night, Markkanen finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds, recording his fifth straight double-double midway through the third. He shot 8-of-14 from the field, 4-of-8 from deep, and 5-for-6 from the free throw line.

What made his night so impressive on the offensive end was how completely dominated on offense yet only took 14 shots. His ability to take what the defense gives to him and not have to go hunting for shots is a large reason why the Jazz have one of the league's best offenses.

One of the more interesting aspects of Monday's showdown was that Markkanen was featured at center a lot for the Jazz. With Utah's frontcourt depth limited with the absence of Kelly Olynyk, Markkanen found himself as the lone big man on the court for the Jazz. He showed off his defensive versatility by switching almost every screen and then had no problem banging down low with Charlotte's big men.

2.) Elite Defensive PerformanceWhile some may say that Utah's defensive performance was expected against the Hornets, especially considering Charlotte has one of the league's lowest-scoring offenses, the Jazz still had to go out and execute their game plan.

Utah held the Hornets to just 2-of-16 shooting from three-point territory, forcing 14 turnovers in the process. They were able to limit Charlotte for much of the night because of their ability to switch on the perimeter, forcing them to play a lot of iso ball instead of keeping the ball moving.

"I thought we executed on the defensive end tonight with switching and disrupting their offense," Hardy said. "I think we did a good job with our switching to kind of take away a lot of those off-the-dribble 3s, and then did a good job for the most part of containing the ball and recognizing when to help and when to fan back out to the shooters."

Former Jazzman Gordon Hayward agreed with that, noting postgame how Utah was able to dictate the game.

"We let them dictate too much on the defensive end," he said. "I feel like we didn't get enough good shots and kind of let the game get away from us there."

3.) It's Time To ShimmyAfter starting the season scorching from beyond the arc, Malik Beasley cooled off in January. Before last Wednesday's game against the Clippers, Beasley was shooting a parsley 25.7% from beyond the arc — significantly below his season average.

But over the past three games, Beasley is slowly starting to come out of his midseason funk — and Monday was more of the same.

He knocked down 3-of-6 from deep, taking good shots within Utah's offense and not forcing the action. He's made 10-for-22 over those past three games, a much-more respectable 45.5% from three-point territory.

You could tell Beasley was feeling it on Monday as he hit did patented "shimmy" dance following a three that forced a Hornets timeout.

4.) Clarkson Is So ConsistentWith Markkanen getting most of the headlines — and rightfully so — a lot of praise deserves to go Jordan Clarkson's way as well. In what's continuing to be a breakout season for the shooting guard, Clarkson overcame a slow start to finish with 18 points and two assists — sitting out the entire fourth quarter.

As Charlotte began to battle back into the game, it was Clarkson who put the Jazz on his shoulders in the third quarter by scoring 12 points. He continues to have this keen sense of knowing when the Jazz need him to take over, and he obliges by doing so.

5.) Western Conference StandingsThere's no other way to say it, but the West is absolutely unbelievable right now.

As of Tuesday morning, only 5.5 games separate the third-seeded Kings and the 13th-seeded Blazers — and the Jazz sit right in the middle. Currently in the seventh seed, Utah is four games behind Sacramento and 1.5 games in front of Portland — their opponent on Wednesday night.

The standings are so crazy and fluctuate so much on a nightly basis that Hardy and the Jazz aren't paying attention in any way. When asked if he even looks at where the Jazz currently sit, Hardy gave a wholehearted laugh and emphatically replied with a "No, not at all."

"It's great, very competitive, a lot of teams right in the mix," he said. "We got a long way to go. … Things can really change between now and then. Our biggest focus is maintaining that mental edge because you can make a little bit of a run here with these pocket of games."

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"A Long Way To Go" | Five Things To Know Following Utah's Victory Over Charlotte

After a brutal losing streak where Utah had recently lost seven of eight, it's safe to say that the Jazz have turned the corner.&nbsp;

They've since responded to win four of five, culminating in Wednesday's wire-to-wire 126-103 victory over the shorthanded LA Clippers. Six players scored in double figures as Utah has now climbed back to .500 on the season.

"The Clippers were undermanned tonight, but I don't think that takes away anything from what our team did in terms of them playing together and executing on both ends of the floor," head coach Will Hardy said. "There's always going to be situations and games where teams are missing people, and we've been in that situation ourselves at times, and you still have to play the game."

1.) The Finnisher Finds His Rhythm In ReturnIt's nice to have Lauri Markkanen back.&nbsp;

After missing the past two games while dealing with a left hip contusion, The Finnisher picked up precisely where he left off. He finished with 34 points — 24 in the first half — and 12 rebounds, shooting 11-of-20 from the floor and 6-for-8 from deep.&nbsp;

While it's expected to show a little rust after missing some time, Markkanen came out firing from the start with seven straight points to begin the game. Those points are precisely why he's made a giant leap forward as they came at all three levels — a bucket at the rim off a drive, a midrange pull-up, and a deep three.

"I thought it was another game where Lauri seemed to kind of do a little bit of everything," Hardy said. "He made threes, got to the basket with force early in the game. He's just continuing to grow before our eyes every night in terms of understanding there's a lot of different ways to be effective on the offensive end in this league, especially when you have his combination of size, skill, and athleticism."

He was so good on the night that even Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue couldn't help but heap praise on the future All-Star.

"He realized he's the best player (on the Jazz)," he said.

2.) Jazz Come Out HotFacing a Clippers team without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and on the second game of a back-to-back, Utah wanted to make sure they came out focused and firing.&nbsp;

Behind seven straight points from Markkanen to start the game, the Jazz jumped out to a 9-0 lead less than two minutes in. They would eventually lead by 10 points after the first quarter, 12 at the half, and 16 heading into the fourth. Most impressively, once they got the double-digit lead in the second quarter, they never saw it drop below nine points.&nbsp;

After 12 of their past 13 games had come down to the game's final minutes, Utah admitted postgame that it was nice to cruise to a victory in the fourth.

"For us to win it the way we did and to have our guys sitting in the last couple of minutes of the game was good for us to see that happen," Mike Conley said postgame. "We haven't really had that feeling all year, so yeah, it was a really good win."

3.) Conley Finally Breaks OutAfter a rough start to the season when it came to shooting the ball, Conley has officially broken out of his slump.&nbsp;

Although he's been showing signs the past two weeks of coming out of it, he put it all together Wednesday with his best shooting performance of the season. He finished with 17 points, nine assists, and four rebounds, knocking down 5-of-6 from beyond the arc.&nbsp;

"Mike got into a good rhythm," Hardy said. "We have a lot of guys we don't have to urge to shoot the ball, but Mike, more than anyone, is someone I've had to encourage to shoot more. He's so unselfish and thinks pass first, but tonight he picked his opportunities to shoot the ball, and he knocked them down."

4.) Kessler Continues To Shine As A StarterWalker Kessler was right back at it two days after making a little league history.

Ever since being inserted into the starting lineup following the ankle injury to Kelly Olynyk, the rookie has shined in nearly every facet of the game — and Wednesday was more of the same.&nbsp;

Being a force on both ends of the court, Kessler finished with his third straight double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. He also added three assists and two blocks, further showing his growth as a complete player.&nbsp;

After starting the last five games, Kessler is averaging 13.4 points (68.2% shooting), 12.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 1.8 assists in 29.7 minutes per game.

5.) Jazz Are Out Of The Play-InSimply put, the Western Conference is absolutely loaded.

While the Nuggets and Grizzlies have run away with the West in their battle for the top seed, the difference between the 3-seed (Sacramento) and 13-seed (Los Angeles Lakers) is just six games.&nbsp;

There's so much parody in the West that any winning streak could have you jump up multiple spots — with the Jazz as proof.&nbsp;

When they had lost seven of eight, Utah had slipped all the way down to 11th in the standings, entirely out of the postseason. But now, after winning their fourth in five games, the Jazz have moved past the Play-In Tournament and sit in 6th place.&nbsp;

With games against the Kevin Durant-less Nets and Charlotte (where LaMelo Ball left Wednesday's game with a sprained ankle), Utah can maybe continue its journey up the standings.&nbsp;

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"Good To See That Happen" | Five Things To Know Following Utah's Victory Over LA

I feel bad for any Jazz fans who may have heart conditions — watching Team 49 this season can't be easy on the pumper.&nbsp;

What helps is a Utah victory, and that's what Jazz Nation got on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

In what's quickly emerging as a theme this season, the Jazz played yet another close game — but behind the play of rookies Walker Kessler and Ocahi Agbaji and a HUGE free throw by Jordan Clarkson in the final seconds, Utah took down Minnesota 126-125.&nbsp;

"I've said it a bunch of times this year, we are perfectly imperfect," head coach Will Hardy said. "We're scrappy, we're tough, we got heart, we go through great moments, we go through tough moments, but the guys never stop fighting. "We talk about Team 49. … It's never just about one person, and I think that's what makes this group so fun and why our fanbase loves this team."

1.) Kessler Continues To ShineSince the earth-shattering trade that sent Rudy Gobert to Minnesota, much talk around the league has been about how Utah won the trade. When these two teams took the court on Monday afternoon, most eyes were going to be on those involved.&nbsp;

Interestingly enough, a player who was considered a throw-in to the trade is the one who dominated on the court.&nbsp;

Kessler was absolutely sensational on Monday, finishing with 20 points, a career-high 21 rebounds, and two blocks, his eighth double-double of the year. He also added four assists, a huge development that he's finally catching up to the speed of the game, able to make decisions and distribute the ball out of the post.

"Obviously tonight with Walker, he was sensational and did so many good things for us, "Hardy added. "Something that will go unnoticed in the box score is that Minnesota blitzed for the majority of the game, and Walker did a fantastic job of getting into the pocket and making some great decisions for us."

"He's shown so much growth on both ends of the floor. I think defense probably comes natural to Walker in a lot of ways, but his ability to learn the offense on the fly has been tremendous."

His 20-point, 20-rebound performance was the first by a rookie in the NBA since 2014 — and he was the first rookie since Alonzo Mourning (1992-93) to put up those numbers on 65% shooting or better.

"My teammates found me in the right spots, my teammates did a good job of keeping their guys off the glass, and the coaching staff did a great job of game planning. … It was fun," Kessler said. "I think my teammates have done a great job of helping me out. I wouldn't be able to do what I do without them. … Props to them."

2.) Coming Up ClutchFor the 12th time in their last 13 games — only one being a double-digit win over Houston — the Jazz had another clutch game on their hands. But unlike what has happened in the past, it was Utah who was able to pull out the win thanks to tough defense and a few big plays offensively.&nbsp;

Minnesota appeared to have the momentum following an Anthony Edwards three with 4:51 to go for the four-point lead, but Kessler and Agbaji answered for Utah to tie the game less than a minute later.&nbsp;

After the Timberwolves regained the lead, Utah responded with a 7-0 run — highlighted by a Malik Beasley three — to lead 125-120 with 1:26 left. Eventually Minnesota would tie the game at 125 before Clarkson hit 1-of-2 free throws with 4.0 seconds left for the win.&nbsp;

"Another game, another chaotic finish for the Jazz. … This is who we are at this point," Hardy said.

"It feels good," Kessler added. "Definitely we can build off of this, keep going. … A lot of guys from the Minnesota trade played well, so it feels good."

3.) Agbaji Earning More MinutesAs Agbaji continues to grow throughout his career, he'll be able to look back on January 2023 as the turning point in his rookie season.

After flipping between the Jazz and Salt Lake City Stars of the G-League for the first half of the season, Agbaji has rewarded Hardy's faith in him with a breakout month.&nbsp;

Playing in a career-high 31 minutes — including the final five minutes of clutch time — Agbaji showed that he belongs on the court in the biggest of minutes. Whether knocking down a shot in traffic, grabbing a big rebound, or hustling on defense, he was instrumental in Utah pulling out the win.&nbsp;

He finished the game with 17 points and two rebounds, shooting 6-of-8 from the floor and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Most importantly, he more than held his own and made game-changing plays that helped affect the outcome.&nbsp;

4.) Conley Quietly DominatesFollowing one of the most challenging stretches of his career, Mike Conley is turning things around when he posted his third straight game in double figures. But what made Monday's game different was not just how efficiently he was shooting the ball, it was how he controlled the game and did all of the little things that made the biggest difference.&nbsp;

Although it won't be talked about much, Conley had one of his best games of the past month when he finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.&nbsp;

He's the key to Utah's offense, the payer who can slow down the tempo and help the Jazz execute at a high rate. His ability to absorb that pressure and still make the correct decisions when it matters most is why the Jazz have stayed alive in so many close games.&nbsp;

5.) Sexton Getting HealthyAfter taking two weeks off to give his hamstring strain more time to time to recover and heal, Collin Sexton looks almost better than ever at any point this season — and Monday was further proof.&nbsp;

Alongside Agabji, Sexton helped keep the Jazz afloat in both the first and third quarters when it appeared that the Timberwolves would pull away.&nbsp;

Using that elite first-step quickness, Sexton was able to get into the paint at will — but where his game has evolved was what he did once he got to the rim. Instead of constantly forcing up a contested shot, Sexton stayed under control and regularly found the open man. His ability to bend the defense allowed the Jazz to play with more space and rhythm, which is key for one of the top units in the league.&nbsp;

Sexton finished with 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists, shooting 7-of-10 from the field and 5-for-5 from the free throw line.&nbsp;

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"We Can Build Off This" | Five Things To Know Following Utah's Victory Over Minnesota

There’s one thing you can say about this Utah Jazz team — they’re always entertaining.&nbsp;

No matter the odds or circumstances, the Jazz are going to be a team that fights until the end — and Friday night in Vivint Arena was more of the same. Thanks to clutch play on both ends of the court, Utah pulled out the 112-108 victory over Orlando.

“A lot of great stuff down the stretch,” head coach Will Hardy said. “Just overall very happy that the team was able to maintain focus because I think it would’ve been easy to kind of let go.”

1.) Kessler Comes Up ClutchIf it hasn’t been done yet, it’s time to start putting some respect on Walker Kessler’s name.&nbsp;

Initially considered an afterthought following the Rudy Gobert trade between the Timberwolves and Jazz, Kessler has been an absolute revelation in his first season in the NBA — and Friday night was further proof. He grabbed a key offensive rebound and knocked down two free throws in the final 13 seconds to help preserve the victory.&nbsp;

Kessler was dominant on both ends of the court, finishing with a near triple-double of 13 points, nine rebounds, a career-high seven blocks, and two steals. He shot 5-of-6 from the field and 3-for-6 from the free throw line, including those two big ones in the end.&nbsp;

Going up against a long and athletic Magic team with six players standing 6-foot-10 or taller in their rotation, Kessler was the one who dominated the paint. He was particularly effective on the offensive glass, grabbing seven rebounds that helped lead to 22 second-chance points for the Jazz.&nbsp;

“I don’t know if you could tell but I was beaming from ear to ear,” Kessler said about his two free throws late. “I went up there and touch did the rest. … I’m not going to talk about the other free throws I missed, but I’m just happy we got the win.

2.) Another Markkanen All-Star PerformanceEntering the game as one of the most efficient players in the NBA, Markkanen had an off-night against Orlando’s physical defense. After a hot opening 12 minutes, he failed to hit a shot in the final three quarters — but this is where his maturity came into play.&nbsp;

Knowing the Magic were trying to be physical with him, Markkanen kept attacking the hoop and eventually made a living at the free throw line. He finished 17-of-21 from the charity stripe en route to 28 points, adding 12 rebounds, two assists, and one block.&nbsp;

“He’s just done a tremendous job of not shying away from the contact,” Hardy said of his star. “It’s been a huge thing for him being our number one guy and understanding that your life can’t be all jump shots.”

3.) Jazz Show ResiliencyAlthough the Jazz came out with the win, it wasn’t easy — and it didn’t go as planned.&nbsp;

Utah appeared to be running away with the game when they led by 12 with just under six to play following a pair of Markkanen free throws. But the Magic refused to go away, going on a 19-6 run to lead by one with 42.1 seconds to play.&nbsp;

Jordan Clarkson answered with a layup on the ensuing possession, giving the Jazz an ideal scenario — up one and guaranteed to get the ball back based on time. After getting a stop, Collin Sexton was fouled but missed his two free throws, the last of which Kessler grabbed the offensive rebound and knocked down the free throws.&nbsp;

With the three-point lead and 11 seconds remaining, Orlando would have one final shot but Markkanen blocked Franz Wagner’s three-point attempt to seal the victory.&nbsp;

“I think that’s another example of our team staying focused through a really tough stretch and finding a way to win. … A couple guys made some really big plays,” Hardy said. “There was a really tough stretch, and the guys just dug in. … They never wavered in their approach, they were really locked in on just getting a stop and a basket when we went down one.”

4.) Guess Who’s Back, Back Again?After playing in just five games over the past month, Collin Sexton made his return to the court on Friday night a triumphant one.

Coming off the bench, Sexton was sensational with 18 points, three assists, and three rebounds. He shot 7-of-12 from the field and 2-for-3 from beyond the arc in 24 minutes, giving the Jazz the boost and production they needed from the second unit.&nbsp;

With Mike Conley out resting for the night, Sexton was instrumental in ensuring Utah got into its sets and could execute when it mattered most. But when the Jazz needed a bucket down one late, Sexton called his own number and drilled a pull-up jumper that ended Orlando’s run and ignited the Vivint Arena crowd.&nbsp;

5.) Prepare For PhillyUtah will have less than 24 hours to celebrate the victory as they’re set to return to action tomorrow night when they host Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.&nbsp;

It should be an exciting game as the last time these two teams met, Embiid had a near quadruple-double when he dropped a career-high 59 points (19-of-28 shooting, 20-for-24 free throw line), 11 rebounds, eight assists, and seven blocks.&nbsp;

This is where the growth of Kessler should come into play, as he’s averaging 9.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks in his past three games.

The Jazz are currently on a two-game winning streak and are hitting their stride during this long homestand, while the 76ers kick off their five-game road trip with the first game of a back-to-back.

“Another big one tomorrow,” Hardy said.

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"Great Stuff Down The Stretch" | Five Things To Know Following Utah's Victory Over Orlando

It’s rare, but Tuesday night might’ve been the best of both worlds for the Utah Jazz.&nbsp;

Not only did they honor former Jazzman Donovan Mitchell in his return to Vivint Arena — and he put on a show — the Jazz were able to overcome their late-game struggles and pick up the 116-114 win in dramatic fashion.

“We’ve talked all year that we win as a team and we lose as a team. … I’m very happy for our guys that we were able to pull out the win,” head coach Will Hardy said. “Tonight was a good reminder of our team to have what it takes to dig in mentally for 48 minutes. I thought our team did a good job of staying in the moment and staying focused on the next thing.”

1.) Don Dominates In ReturnAs far as homecomings go, Mitchell couldn’t have asked for a better individual performance. Showing why he’s making a case to be involved in the MVP discussion, he finished with a game-high 46 points (tying his career high at Vivint Arena), adding six assists, five rebounds, and three assists.&nbsp;

He started off hot with 12 points in the opening quarter and then closed strong with 17 points in the fourth. He scored at all three levels and was particularly frisky on defense when up against Jordan Clarkson and Mike Conley.&nbsp;

Mitchell was incredible in his five years with the Jazz, but seeing him take his game to another level while with Cleveland is particularly impressive. While I always hope the absolute best for them, as long as the Jazz continue to come out on top in their head-to-head showdowns.&nbsp;

2.) Clarkson Comes Up ClutchWhile Mitchell may have been sensational in the final 12 minutes, Jordan Clarkson came up clutch for the Jazz when they needed it most.&nbsp;

Beginning with a 7-point possession — yes, SEVEN POINTS in ONE POSSESSION — he went on a personal 9-0 run as the Jazz turned a five-point deficit into a four-point lead in 43 seconds. To say he was incredible in those moments doesn’t even begin to describe how special he was, making NBA history in the process.&nbsp;

Every time the Jazz needed a big bucket, Clarkson was the one who answered. He was dominant, finishing with 32 points, six rebounds, and four assists on 11-of-19 shooting and 5-for-9 from deep.&nbsp;

“JC was massive for us in the second half,” Hardy said. “I think he had a seven-point play, which I told him to do. He’s such a rhythm player that him getting to the free throw line helps settle him a little to see a few go in.”

3.) Markkanen Makes Jazz HistoryLost in the shuffle on Mitchell’s return and Clarkson’s clutch fourth quarter was Lauri Markkanen etching himself into the Utah record books.&nbsp;

Doing something neither Mitchell nor Clarkson had ever done before, Markkanen’s corner three-pointer in the third quarter put him over 1,000 career points for the Jazz. He is now the second-fastest player to achieve the feat, doing so in just 40 games. Adrian Dantley holds the record by reaching that threshold in just 34 games.&nbsp;

Overcoming a slow start by his standards, Markkanen finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds. He was particularly impressive on the defensive end, understanding that his side and length at 7 feet allowed him to bother the Cavs anywhere on the court.&nbsp;

4.) Finish StrongSaying the Jazz have had a rough go of things lately would be an understatement. Following a five-game losing streak in which they lost by a total of 15 points, Utah had a chance to get back to its winning ways but struggled in the clutch in losses to Chicago and Memphis.&nbsp;

So when the Jazz found themselves down by five following a 17-8 Cleveland run, it appeared they were going to suffer another heartbreaker.&nbsp;

But like Hardy had been coaching throughout the past few weeks, Utah continued to play through its struggles and battled. Clarkson’s 9-0 run was part of a larger 13-0 run as the Jazz found success on both ends of the court.&nbsp;

“That’s a really gritty team win for us,” Hardy said. “We’ve talked a lot the last couple of days about our approach and mentality, being able to maintain our focus and mindset through tough moments. I thought we came out in the second half with a great purpose. … Cleveland made their run, but our guys dug in and stayed focused on the little things.”

5.) Fans Show Their Love And SupportAfter a lot of recent talk about what sort of reception Mitchell would receive from Jazz Nation, I think it’s extremely important to acknowledge that those inside Vivint Arena were simply sensational on Tuesday night.&nbsp;

Not only did they give Mitchell a standing ovation when he was introduced into Cleveland’s starting lineup, but the fans also had the perfect amount of cheers and boos. While they showed their love and appreciation for Mitchell, they still wanted a Utah victory, so they booed him loudly during his free throw attempts.

But the best interaction between Mitchell and Jazz Nation came in the third quarter, which showed how the fans genuinely feel about their former guard.&nbsp;

Following a missed three by Mitchell, those inside Vivint made sure he knew what happened as chants of “airball” began echoing throughout the arena. But as Mitchell looked up and grinned, acknowledging the heckling with a chuckle, the chants started to die and were replaced with cheering.&nbsp;

It was an incredible moment, one shared by a passionate fanbase and a former star who gave them everything he had every time he stepped on the court.&nbsp;

“The reception was phenomenal,” Mitchell said postgame. “I am appreciative of it from everybody, the tribute was great. It felt like it was just a typical Jazz night. … Back and forth, screaming, yelling, it was awesome.”

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"A Typical Jazz Night" | Five Things To Know Following Utah's Victory Over Cleveland

After a string of close games resulted in a five-game losing streak, the Jazz made sure there wouldn't be another close finish on Thursday night.

Using a 19-3 run late in the fourth quarter, Utah ran away from Houston and picked up the 131-114 victory.

"It's hard to maintain the appropriate approach when you've had five tough games in a row like we did, and it's just a credit to our team," head coach Will Hardy said. "The guys we have in the locker room and their ability to maintain a focus, dig in and have each other's backs when things aren't going their way, I think is really special, and that's why our fans love this team."

1.) Special Night For MarkkanenAs Lauri Markkanen's official All-Star campaign manager, Walker Kessler's services may no longer be required. It's no longer a discussion; Markkanen should be an NBA All-Star — and Thursday night proved as much for The Finnisher.

Markkanen continued his recent hot streak with his fourth 30-point game in his last eight, finishing with a career-high 49 points and eight rebounds. He shot 15-of-27 from the field, 6-of-15 from deep, and a perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line, scoring a career-high for points in a quarter with 18 in the first.

His ability to score at all three levels continues to separate Markkanen from others and garner all the praise. He knocked down catch-and-shoot threes, got into the lane for two-handed dunks, and took advantage of his height in the midrange.

"Lauri's done such a good job of continuing to work on different ways he can impact the game offensively," Hardy said. "Obviously he's shown the ability to shoot the ball. … But the physicality he's been able to play with, to drive the ball and as a screener, has given him the opportunity to score in a variety of ways."

2.) Career-High For OchaiAfter bouncing between the NBA and G-League this season, rookie Ochai Agbaji had the best game of his career. He made the most of his extra minutes when he finished with a career-high 11 points by shooting 3-of-4 from three-point territory.

Another huge contributor off the bench who helped pick up for Sexton's absence, all of his points came in the crucial fourth quarter as the Rockets tried to climb back into the game. He also showed off his impressive athleticism with a driving dunk over Houston's Tari Eason that ignited Utah's bench.

After Hardy said earlier in the week that it was time for the rookie to get some more minutes, Agbaji rewarded his head coach with a good effort on the defensive end.

"I think it's obvious who the game ball goes to. … It goes to Ochai Agbaji," Hardy said. "Lauri's a very good player, and he had 49 points, but Ochai also had his career-high. I have a lot of respect for Ochai and the way he's approached his work every day so far this season. … It's really to do what Ochai just did, and he delivered and stepped up big time for us."

3.) Beasley On FireWith Collin Sexton out recovering from a hamstring strain, a lot more pressure fell onto the shoulders of Beasley. Combined, they help lead one of the top bench units in the league — so with Sexton out, a lot of that scoring and responsibility had to come from him.

Despite entering Thursday's game with the fifth-most made threes in the league, Beasley proved that he's over his recent cold streak when he shot 5-of-7 from deep and finished with 19 points in just 20 minutes. Beasley was the spark the Jazz needed, showing the ability to get to the rim and finish.

4.) Kessler Has A New JobApart from being one of the best rookies this season, Kessler apparently has taken on a new role within the Jazz organization — even if it's essentially an unpaid internship.

Announced on Thursday morning, he's Markkanen's official campaign manager, with the goal of getting him to the NBA All-Star Game in February.

The Jazz released a video regarding Kessler's unique marketing approach, which includes an impressive sweatshirt promoting The Finnisher. While each team member was thrilled to endorse their teammate by taking the sweatshirt, Markkanen made sure it was known that he wasn't paying Kessler — an issue the rookie had no problem with.