Indiana Pacers

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Ryan Kostecka

In a game the Jazz led wire-to-wire, Utah used a dominant third quarter to run away from Indiana and pick up the 132-105 victory on Monday night. With the win, the Jazz extended their season-winning streak to six games while being 12-2 in their last 14 games.&nbsp;

“Another game where it felt like the team approach from the beginning of the game was very good,” head coach Will Hardy said. “I think that this team is showing that they can continue to improve, and that’s our objective to keep getting better. I’m really pleased with the team’s approach. … They’ve been extremely professional the last month and continue to play as a group.”

Here are five things to know following the win.

1.) Two-Headed MonsterThere was no stopping Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton on Monday night. The duo combined for 62 points against the Pacers, one point less than the entire Indiana starting five.&nbsp;

Just hours after being named the Western Conference Player of the Week, Markkanen finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists for his 13th double-double of the season. He shot 10-of-15 from the field, 2-for-4 from three, and a perfect 10-for-10 from the line. He’s now shot double-digit free throws in three of the past four games.&nbsp;

Sexton has been just as impactful throughout Utah’s winning streak. He finished with a season-high 30 points, five assists, and three rebounds on 11-of-17 shooting and 4-for-5 from three. Sexton has finished in double-digit scoring in eight straight games, including four straight of 20+ points.&nbsp;

“Collin has been playing really well and at a high level,” Markkanen said recently. “He’s really picking his spots on when to attack, when to facilitate, when to slow down, and when to use his speed.”

2.) Make it 17 StraightEntering Monday’s showdown with Indiana, the Jazz were 16-0 when leading at the half. Make it 17 and zero.&nbsp;

Using a 13-5 run to end the second quarter and get some breathing room, the Jazz took a 64-50 lead over the Pacers. They quickly stretched that lead to 21 following an 8-0 run in the early minutes of the third quarter with threes by Sexton and Simone Fontecchio. The Jazz cruised the rest of the way for the victory.&nbsp;

While it’s hard to pinpoint why Utah has never relinquished a halftime lead, my guess is that depth has much to do with it. The Jazz are among the deepest teams in the league, playing a 10-man rotation where everyone averages 17+ minutes. Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson are the only two to average 30+ minutes a night.&nbsp;

That means the Jazz just come at opponents in waves, never letting their foot off the gas and attacking constantly. It’s why they’re second in the NBA in bench scoring at 45.0 points per game — ironically, trailing just the Pacers.&nbsp;

“It’s much easier to demand the intensity and compete every play when people are a little more fresh,” Hardy said. “We have guys playing less minutes than they’re used to. … I recognize it can be frustrating in some ways, but they’re all bought in and trying to compete as a team and win. We’re gaining a little bit of ground because we don’t have guys who are super run down and having to play extra minutes.”

3.) Everybody Touches the BallWhen asked about Utah’s recent turnaround, Hardy has been quick to point out that his team’s willingness to share the ball, to pass up a good shot for a great shot, has been arguably the main factor for Utah’s run of success.&nbsp;

"I've said this before, but like at a childhood level, they all just want to touch the ball," head Hardy said Saturday night. "I think sometimes, people are like, 'Oh, everybody wants to shoot.' Yes, but what they really want is to just touch the ball. We’re trying to play that style. … We don't want to make the game about any one person.”

Unsurprisingly, as the Jazz picked up their season-high sixth consecutive win on Monday, they dished out 29 assists on 45 made buckets. Seven players finished with at least two assists, while four had 4+ assists on the night. Kris Dunn led the way with six, while Sexton and Keyonte George added five apiece.&nbsp;

In the game, Utah had six players averaging at least 4.0 assists per game. Jordan Clarkson leads the team with a career-high 5.3 assists per game.

4.) Lauri-Dirk Similarities&nbsp;If there was ever a coach to speak about NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki and those compared to him, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle would know better than most. He coached the German star for 11 seasons, winning a title together in 2011.

Speaking with the media before tipoff, Carlisle was asked about Markkanen and his comparison to Nowitzki.&nbsp;

"He's the closest thing that I've seen to (Dirk) Nowitzki — just in terms of a 7-footer that can really stretch the game out and play inside,” he said. "The game has evolved to a place that meets his ability and strength. … The guy's an amazing player, and he makes it look easy.”

Nowitzki is widely considered the greatest shooter in NBA history who stood 7 feet or taller. However, Markkanen is climbing those ranks — and making league history in the process. Against Denver on Oct. 30, Markkanen became the NBA's all-time leader for most career games by a 7-footer with at least five made threes. He's done so 39 times in his career and 18 times in a Jazz uniform — six times this season.

"People have tried to put bigger guys on him, smaller guys on him," Carlisle said of Markkanen. "He shoots over the smaller guys, and he outcrafts the big guys. He's tough. He's a much tougher player than you may think looking at him. He's tall and slender, but he's rugged. So he's a major, major problem.”

To vote Markkanen as a 2024 NBA All-Star, click HERE

5.) MLK Jr. Day“The time is always right to do what is right.”

As part of the NBA’s Martin Luther King Day celebration, all Jazz players and staff wore shirts with the quote, “The time is always right to do what is right,” during pregame warmups.&nbsp;

Before the Jazz tipped off with the Pacers on Monday night, Collin Sexton stood at center court and delivered a pregame message to Jazz Nation. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sexton spoke about the legacy he has left behind as a civil rights activist and one of the most influential people in American history.&nbsp;

Jordan Clarkson and Ochai Agabji spoke with the media after the shootaround this morning, talking about the influence Dr. King has had on them and what it means to play basketball on a day that honors him.

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"Extremely Professional" — 5 Things to Know Following Utah's Win Over Indiana

Jeremy Rincon

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Highlights: Collin Sexton – 30 points, 5 assists, 4 3PM

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Highlights: Pacers 105 | Jazz 132

The Jazz were looking for a spark to help break out of an early-season funk. It may not have ended with a win, but Wednesday night against Indiana was a step in the right direction.

Behind the play of a new starting five, Utah battled the Pacers tough for three quarters. However, the Jazz ran out of steam in the final 12 minutes and fell 134-118.&nbsp;

“I think we started the game well with a defensive mindset of shifting and helping our teammate who was guarding the ball,” head coach Will Hardy said. “I thought that at the start of the game, our discipline on both sides of the ball was very good. … Then it started to slip a bit.”

Here are five things to know following the loss.

1.) Different Starting LineupWith Walker Kessler out until being reevaluated in two weeks following a UCL sprain in his elbow, Hardy would have to change his starting lineup. But what caught most people off guard wasn't who replaced Kessler in the first five. It was another surprise addition. 

On his 20th birthday, Keyonte George replaced Talen Horton-Tucker in the starting lineup. With Ochai Agbaji replacing Kessler, the Jazz also had the group's regular starters Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson.&nbsp;

Hardy made a statement with this unit, prioritizing spacing and creating mismatches to help the offense find a rhythm. With five shooters on the court and putting George in place of Horton-Tucker, the Jazz made much quicker decisions with the ball that put them in a better flow.

“I do think that, again, and I’ve said this a lot this year, there are pockets of really good play. We’ve got to find some consistency as we change lineups in a game. … That’s something we’ve got to continue to do to improve as a team,” Hardy said.

2.) Flamethrower Catches FireAfter getting off to a slow start this year, It was only a matter of time until the Flamethrower erupted during a game this season. 

With so much change in the starting lineup, Clarkson took it upon himself to get the Jazz going as he dropped 11 points in the first quarter. He stayed hot the rest of the game, finishing with 33 points, five assists, and three rebounds. He shot 12-of-26 from the field, 1-for-3 from deep, and 8-of-8 from the free throw line.

3.) Fontecchio Provides BoostWith Kessler out and the starting five established, Hardy was left with another big decision. 

Who was going to fill out the frontcourt rotation?&nbsp;

With rookie Taylor Hendricks on assignment with the SLC Stars, Omer Yurtseven has seen spot minutes this year in the frontcourt when the Jazz have gone deep into the bench. Luka Samanic hasn't played much this year but came on strong at the end of last season.&nbsp;

However, Hardy went with Simone Fontecchio as the ninth man off the bench… and he responded.&nbsp;

Fontecchio gave Utah a massive boost when he dropped 10 points in the second quarter, shooting 4-of-5 from the field and 2-of-3 from deep. He made hustle plays, helping the Jazz steal a few possessions while adding three rebounds.&nbsp;

4.) George Looks ComfortableOne of the immediate takeaways from Utah's new starting lineup was the amount of spacing the Jazz had on the floor. It was apparent how much the court opened up on the offensive end, allowing the Jazz to use their speed and athleticism to take advantage. 

George finished with seven points, nine assists (with just one turnover), and two rebounds. While there is still room for improvement – George missed a couple of shots at the rim – his debut in the starting lineup was promising, especially for a team still searching for its identity.&nbsp;

“I thought Keyonte did a good job. … Nine assists and one turnover is good,” Hardy said. “I think in general, he’s still learning how to pick his spots on when to shoot. … I think he turned down five or six shots off the bounce that we would like to see him take. Overall, his poise and communication tonight was fantastic.”

5.) In-Season Tournament TimeUtah will tip off its first In-Season Tournament game when it faces Memphis on Friday night. 

Placed in Group A of the Western Conference, the Jazz are set to face Memphis, Portland, Phoenix, and the Los Angeles Lakers throughout November. Following the Grizzlies game, the Jazz return to Salt Lake City for home games against the Blazers and Suns on Nov. 14 and 17, respectively. They close out group play with a road showdown against the Lakers in Los Angeles on the 21.

Utah is already 1-0 against Memphis this season, taking down the Grizzlies 133-109 a week ago.

The In-Season Tournament is a new season highlight and piece of hardware for teams and players to strive for. An All-Tournament team and MVP honors will allow players to thrive in clutch situations and further build their legacies.&nbsp;

“The commitment to team defense has to improve focus to win. … On the offensive side of the ball, we’ve got to do a better job of taking care of the ball,” Hardy said.

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"Commitment to Team Defense" — 5 Things to Know Following Utah's Loss to the Pacers

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Highlights: Jordan Clarkson – 33 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds

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Highlights: Jazz 118 | Pacers 134

It's not easy to win in the NBA. It's even harder to win on the road.

So when the Jazz took a 12-point lead with five minutes to play, they knew it wasn't going to be smooth sailing to the finish. Next thing they knew, Tyrese Haliburton caught fire, and Utah's lead was down to two with two minutes to go.

The good thing for the Jazz is they've been in this situation for most of the season — and they played it like it in the end. Utah shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the line and held on for the 123-117 victory over Indiana on Monday night.&nbsp;

"Road wins are always nice. … I think it was a good bounce back for us to be able to execute in the fourth quarter and come out with a win," head coach Will Hardy said. "Guys made some big plays down the stretch, which is what has to happen to win a close game in the NBA. I think our team maintained our composure and understanding of what was working for us. It enabled us to come out with a win."

Here are five things to know following the win:

1.) Clarkson Blows Up In The Second HalfDespite entering Monday amidst the best statistical season of his career, Clarkson had struggled shooting the ball over the past week. While numerous things were going on off the court that could've easily affected his focus, Clarkson refused to make any excuse.&nbsp;

If the Jazz were going to reach their goal of making the postseason, he would have to be better — and more efficient. Mission accomplished.&nbsp;

Clarkson took over in the second half en route to finishing with 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including a stellar 6-of-8 from deep. While he added three assists, he seized the moment when the Jazz needed him most, making Monday night special.&nbsp;

"It was just staying level, things are going to happen in the game," Clarkson said. "I stuck with it. … We kept moving the ball, we kept playing the right away, I think that was the most important thing for us. I'm very confident in our fourth quarter effort. ... I think we are going to be alright."

"Jordan was in the zone tonight," Hardy added. "I wish I could take credit for any of that."

2.) Breaking A SlumpFor one of the better shooting teams in the league, the last week had to feel as strange as it gets. Over the past five games, the Jazz were shooting 27.9% (46-for-165) from three-point territory — nearly 10 percentage points lower than their season average.&nbsp;

After another difficult first half in which the Jazz were 4-for-15 from deep, it looked like Monday night was going to be another brutal showing from beyond the arc. However, that's why they play two halves.&nbsp;

Led by Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk (4-of-4 from deep), Utah shot 11-for-18 from deep and scored 70 points in the final 24 minutes. Four different players knocked down at least two threes in the game.&nbsp;

3.) Markkanen Comes Up Clutch… On DefenseWash. Rinse. Repeat.

That's the best way to describe what Lauri Markkanen has been doing for most of the season, and Monday was no different.&nbsp;

He finished with his 22nd double-double of the year when he posted 29 points and 11 rebounds, adding two assists as well. Although he's still struggling from three — a rarity this year — Markkanen shot 8-of-11 inside the arc and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. However, his two three-pointers were momentum swingers in the second half.&nbsp;

Despite the points, Markkanen's best play of the game came when he got switched onto Indiana guard Tyrese Halliburton — who was on a heater at the end. But Markkanen was able to lock him up, forcing a contested three that clanked off the rim, and secured the win.&nbsp;

4.) Depth Steals The ShowFor the entire season, Markkanen and Clarkson have clearly been Utah's top two options, each averaging 20+ points per game.&nbsp;

While they were both sensational against the Pacers, it was Utah's depth that stole the show and led to the win.&nbsp;

Collin Sexton continues to thrive in the starting point guard role, finishing with 18 points and six assists. Olynyk added a double-double of 18 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists, while Walker Kessler finished with two blocks. Talen Horton-Tucker ran the second unit well, finishing with seven assists, while rookie Ochai Agbaji chipped in eight points (two threes) and four rebounds.&nbsp;

5.) Wild Wild WestWith the All-Star break just days away, one would think that teams would begin separating themselves from one another. Well, half of the teams in the Western Conference haven't gotten the memo.&nbsp;

Only five games separate 10 teams, with the Jazz sitting in the middle of those standings. Phoenix is currently the 4-seed at 31-27, the Lakers are the 13-seed at 26-32, and Utah is in 10th at 29-30.&nbsp;

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"Jordan Was In The Zone" | Five Things To Know Following Utah's Victory Over Indiana

For the first 24 minutes of action, it appeared that Utah's shooting slump from beyond the arc would continue. The Jazz were 4-of-15 from deep in the first half, well on their way to another subpar performance for one of the better deep-shooting teams in the league.

However, that's why they play for 48 minutes.

Utah was on fire in the second half from deep, knocking down 11 threes as they held off the Pacers to pick up the 123-117 victory on Monday night.

Despite entering Monday amidst the best statistical season of his career, Clarkson had struggled shooting the ball over the past week. While numerous things were going on off the court that could've easily affected his focus, Clarkson refused to make any excuse.

If the Jazz were going to reach their goal of making the postseason, he would have to be better — and more efficient. Mission accomplished.

Clarkson took over in the second half en route to finishing with 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including a stellar 6-of-8 from deep. While he added three assists, he seized the moment when the Jazz needed him most, making Monday night special.

"It was just staying level, things are going to happen in the game," Clarkson said. "I stuck with it. … We kept moving the ball, we kept playing the right away, I think that was the most important thing for us. I'm very confident in our fourth quarter effort. … I think we are going to be alright."

That's the best way to describe what Lauri Markkanen has been doing for most of the season, and Monday was no different.

He finished with his 22nd double-double of the year when he posted 29 points and 11 rebounds, adding two assists as well. Although he's still struggling from three — a rarity this year — Markkanen shot 8-of-11 inside the arc and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. However, his two three-pointers were momentum swingers in the second half.

Despite the points, Markkanen's best play of the game came when he got switched onto Indiana guard Tyrese Halliburton — who was on a heater at the end. But Markkanen was able to lock him up, forcing a contested three that clanked off the rim, and secured the win.

After sluggish starts the past few games, the Jazz came out Monday night looking like a team finally moving on from the emotions of the past week. They were active on both ends of the court, the ball was moving freely, and Utah was up 14-10 four minutes in.

But the Pacers, looking to snap their four-game losing streak, also came out playing well. A 5-0 run by Aaron Nesmith put Indiana back in front, but buckets by Markkanen and Walker Kessler gave the Jazz a three-point advantage midway through the first.

Utah would later extend its lead to four following a Talen Horton-Tucker three, but it was all Indiana the rest of the way. They closed the quarter on a 14-4 run, with Benedict Mathurin and Jordan Nwora combining to score 12.

Buckets by Udoka Azubuike and Sexton made it a two-point deficit, but the Pacers responded with back-to-back buckets of their own. The teams would then trade scores for the next few minutes, with the Jazz trailing by four with just under six to go in the half.

However, Clarkson and Ochai Agbaji hit back-to-back threes to give Utah their first lead since midway through the first. It was short-lived, as a 6-0 run a few minutes later gave the Pacers the lead.

But Markkanen capped off his sensational first half with a quick 4-0 run — including an emphatic putback dunk over Isaiah Jackson.

With both teams needing the victory to gain momentum heading into the All-Star break later this week, the third quarter was an offensive showcase as the teams combined for 73 points in the 12 minutes.

Indiana's 12-4 run gave the Pacers a five-point lead just under three minutes into the half, but Kelly Olynyk ended the run with a three. The Jazz would later tie the game following a quick 5-0 run, using a three by Markkanen and a bucket by Agbaji.

Indiana responded with a 10-3 run to open up the big lead and ignite the home crowd, but Clarkson responded with back-to-back threes. After the Pacers led by four late in the third, the Jazz made their big move with an 8-0 run.

The Jazz took an 89-88 lead heading to the fourth.

Like the third quarter, the final 12 minutes were as back and forth as it gets, with neither team willing to give in.

After a T.J. McConnell bucket cut Utah's lead to one with just over eight to play, the Jazz caught fire when needed. Olynyk finished with eight points — including two threes — as Utah rattled off an 11-2 run to lead by 12 with 5:25 to go.

Indiana responded with a 12-2 run, with Haliburton scoring nine points as Utah's deficit was cut to four. But then Clarkson and Haliburton went head-to-head, each scoring five straight points before Markkanen's big defensive stand with 30 seconds remaining. The Jazz went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line to clinch the win.

Sexton was again sensational in the starting lineup, finishing with 18 points, six assists, and two steals, while Olynyk added 18 points and 10 rebounds on 4-of-4 from deep. Agbaji added eight points (2-of-4 from deep), while Horton-Tucker finished with seven points and seven assists.

Utah will have Tuesday off before facing Memphis on Wednesday in the final game of their road trip — and their last game before the All-Star break. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. MT.

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"Road Wins Are Nice" | Clarkson's Huge Second Half Leads Utah To Season Sweep Over Indiana

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