Lauri Markkanen propels Jazz past Pacers for 6th straight win

Field Level Media|published: Mon 15th January, 23:47 2024

Jan 15, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) looks to drive against Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (7) and guard Andrew Nembhard (2) during the second quarter at Delta Center. credits: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Lauri Markkanen recorded 32 points and 10 rebounds and the Utah Jazz extended their season-best winning streak to six games with a wire-to-wire, 132-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night at Salt Lake City.

Collin Sexton scored a season-high 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting as Utah won for the 12th time in 14 games. Keyonte George scored 19 points, Jordan Clarkson added 17 and John Collins had 10 as the Jazz registered their ninth consecutive home victory.

Buddy Hield and Andrew Nembhard scored 14 points apiece for the Pacers, who dropped to 2-2 without star Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring). Myles Turner and Jalen Smith each scored 12 for Indiana, which has lost consecutive games after winning nine of its previous 10.

Indiana shot 40 percent from the field and was 9 of 31 (29 percent) from behind the arc. Bennedict Mathurin scored 11 points before leaving with an ankle injury in the third quarter.

Utah made 55.6 percent of its shots, including 11 of 25 (44 percent) from 3-point range. Walker Kessler blocked five shots, Sexton was 4 of 5 from 3-point range and Markkanen made all 10 of his free-throw attempts.

The Jazz led by 13 early in the third quarter before ripping off 10 straight points. Simone Fontecchio had a 3-pointer and a dunk during the burst as Utah increased its lead to 76-53 with 9:26 left.

Markkanen later scored six points during an 8-0 run as the Jazz held a 95-71 advantage with 2:24 remaining.

Utah led 105-79 entering the final stanza before Indiana scored 11 of the first 13 points to move within 17.

It was again a 17-point margin before Sexton knocked down a 3-pointer with 3:04 remaining and George followed with eight straight points to make it 129-101 with 1:13 left.

Sexton scored 17 points and Markkanen added 15 to lead Utah to a 64-50 edge at halftime. Hield scored 14 in the half for Indiana.

Markkanen had 11 points in the opening quarter as the Jazz jumped on top 33-26. The Pacers trailed by four in the second period before Utah used a 6-0 burst to take a 57-45 lead on Sexton's basket with 2:16 left.

Sexton drained a 3-pointer with 33.1 seconds remaining to end the first-half scoring.

—Field Level Media

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