Big fourth-quarter rally lifts Jazz over Bucks

Field Level Media|published: Sun 4th February, 22:53 2024

Feb 4, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) looks past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and to the basket during the second quarter at Delta Center. credits: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Lauri Markkanen scored 21 points to help the Utah Jazz snap a three-game losing skid and overcome a 19-point deficit in a 123-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night in Salt Lake City.

Keyonte George contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds, Collin Sexton added 19 points, John Collins contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds, as seven Jazz players hit double figures in scoring in the victory.

Utah trailed by 14 points with 11 minutes remaining before turning it around by outscoring Milwaukee 40-13 in the fourth-quarter rally.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 33 points, dished out 13 assists and grabbed seven rebounds for the Bucks.

After digging out of a 25-point hole in an impressive road win in Dallas on Saturday night, Milwaukee ran out of steam in the Utah altitude while playing for the second consecutive night.

Bobby Portis totaled 27 points and seven rebounds, but Damian Lillard only made 5 of 18 shots en route to a 12-point outing. The Bucks played without regular starters Brook Lopez (personal) and Khris Middleton (knee).

The Jazz outrebounded the Bucks 52-32, outscored the visitors 50-30 in the paint and held a decisive 55-14 advantage in bench scoring.

Like they did in Saturday's come-from-behind win, the Bucks dominated the second quarter. AJ Green ignited a 14-0 run by beginning the second quarter with two 3-pointers.

John Collins briefly interrupted the Bucks' run with a tip shot, giving the Jazz their first points of the quarter at the 8:25 mark. But Milwaukee fired back with another five-point spurt to take an 11-point lead.

The Bucks took their biggest lead, 61-42, when Antetokounmpo wrapped up an 8-0 run with a tip shot.

The Jazz showed some life in the final minutes of the first half, using an 11-2 burst to trim the Bucks' halftime lead to 63-53.

Milwaukee held a 14-point lead after Antetokounmpo made a dunk and two free throws early in the fourth quarter.

The Jazz responded with a resounding 14-point run, including back-to-back 3-pointers from Kelly Olynyk and Markkanen, to tie the contest at 99 as part of a 27-6 run that gained some separation.

—Field Level Media

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