The Suns visited the Jazz on the 19th and were in a tough battle. The fight was extended for a second time. In the last 0.9 seconds, the Suns took a 3-point lead. Lauri Markkanen rebounded and shot a three-pointer. The referee immediately called for a foul on Kevin Durant. The Suns challenged the decision, and the referee canceled the foul after reviewing replays. In the end the Suns defeated the Jazz 140:137, ending their 3-game winning streak.
Although Durant scored 16 points in the first half, he made frequent mistakes. Devin Booker was even cooler and scored only 4 points. However, the Jazz were out of control, and the Suns still led by 61:56 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Booker regained his momentum and scored 11 points. Jazz benches Talen Horton-Tucker and Collin Sexton took turns scoring. With the rebound advantage, they took an 8-point lead. After both sides changed their main lineups, Sun successfully took the lead. Markkanen scored the tying goal in the final 20 seconds and advanced to overtime.
In overtime, Suns veteran Eric Gordon hit two three-pointers with more than 30 seconds remaining. Durant made a three-pointer past a defender to take a 5-point lead, but the Jazz relied on Jordan Clarkson. He quickly scored 2 points with a free throw, and then defended the Suns’ attack. Both sides were engaged in wrong strategies. Markkanen made all 2 free throws, while Gordon made only 1. The Jazz relied on Sexton to add 2 points and delay the second extension.
Durant scored 8 points for the second consecutive time, but missed the key three-pointer. The Suns players were lucky to get the offensive rebound. The Jazz immediately fouled Booker. Booker made 2 free throws and led the Jazz with 0.9 seconds left. Markkanen finally blocked a three-point shot by Durant, and the referee immediately called a foul, but the Suns challenged and eventually overturned the call.
Durant played 46 minutes and scored 39 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds, Booker had 26 points and 8 assists, Gordon had 20 points and 6 assists, and Jusuf Nurkic had 18 points and 12 rebounds.
For the Jazz, Markkanen scored 38 points and 17 rebounds, Clarkson had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, Horton Tucker had a season-high 25 points, Sexton had 18 points and John Collins had 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Exercise
