Jazz get defensive, snap 5-game losing skid

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – The Utah Jazz had gone 19 days since tasting victory, but the drought is finally over.

Lauri Markkanen scored 26 points and the Utah Jazz beat the San Antonio Spurs 128-109 on Sunday night to snap a five-game skid. This is Utah’s first victory since the trade deadline, and their first win since February 6.

Jordan Clarkson added 22 points and 10 assists for the Jazz. John Collins had 20 points and Collin Sexton added 16 points and 10 assists.

“I know it’s been a minute, it’s been minute since we’ve been on the winning side,” Sexton said. “But tonight it was fun.”

“We showed our hands and we kind got in passing lanes, so that’s what we got to do every game,” Markkanen said. “Just fly around. Not just running, but really trying to make the passes tough for them. We got some guys on this team with long wingspans and we try to use that to our advantage.”

Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 27 points and Victor Wembanyama added 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks for the Spurs, who lost for the 11th time in 12 games. Zach Collins finished with 17 points and Tre Jones had 15 points and nine assists.

The Jazz moved within three games of Golden State for the final Western Conference play-in spot.

Utah played tough defense and thrived in transition, scoring 34 points off 20 San Antonio turnovers and outscoring the Spurs 28-14 on the fast break.

“Forcing 20 turnovers allowed us to get out and run, get some easy baskets in transition,” said Jazz head coach Will Hardy. “That’s something that we’re trying to focus on as a team is being a little bit better of getting out in transition, and not play so much half-court basketball.”

After trailing by 24 points before halftime, San Antonio rallied early in the fourth quarter. Back-to-back 3s from Vassell and Wembanyama keyed a 17-7 run that cut Utah’s lead to 100-91.

The Jazz stopped the rally by scoring on six straight possessions — punctuated by back-to-back 3s from Clarkson and Markkanen — and extended their lead to 116-95 with 5:15 left.

San Antonio fell behind by double digits after committing eight first-quarter turnovers, leading to 13 points for Utah. The Jazz held the Spurs to 18 points in the period.

Utah used a 15-2 run to build a 32-15 lead in the final minute of the first. Markkanen powered the run with three baskets and scored 11 points during the quarter.

“We were trying to lock in and get the win here,” said Collins. “For the home fans, we can slacken a little bit. So I love to get a win for the hope for the fans.”

Utah led 63-39 at halftime, shooting 58% from the field in the second quarter and holding the Spurs to a season low in first-half points for a Jazz opponent.

Utah visits Atlanta on Tuesday.

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