Houston — Lauri Markkanen He scored a career-high 49 points over the Utah Jazz in a 131-114 victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, snapping a five-game skid.
Markkanen got off to a quick start by scoring 18 in the first quarter, helping the Jazz to an early lead. Houston took the lead late in the 3rd quarter, but Utah ended that quarter with his 10-0 lead for good.
“I’ve said it many times this year, but it’s all thanks to my teammates and coaching staff. They put me in the right place to succeed,” Markkanen said. “My teammate did a great job delivering the ball and he just finished his shot.”
An 8-2 run cut Utah’s lead to five with about five minutes remaining. Jordan Clarkson A 3-pointer was soon followed, and a chip shot by Markkanen extended the lead to 117-107.
Jalen Green Adding Houston’s basket before Markkanen scored the next four points allowed the Jazz to start a 14-0 run, making it 131-109 and sending fans streaming for an ejection.
Markkanen added back-to-back 3-pointers at the end of the run. The players on the Utah bench rose to their feet and cheered when he hit both, and they were disappointed when his final three-point attempt to give him 50 points fell off the mark.
“Jordan said: ‘Just go with 50,'” Markkanen said. “And I know they double-teamed me at the end, but I had to do it. I’m not too worried about what I didn’t get, but It’s great to see my teammates as excited as I am…for them.”
30 points on the green Kevin Porter Jr.Added 23 to the Rockets who fell six times in a row.
Markkanen’s highest scoring game on Thursday was 38, which he has achieved twice, most recently against Detroit on December 20. He made six of his 3-pointers and all 13 of his free throws on Thursday night, surpassing his best game to date.
Jazz coach Will Hardy said, “He’s doing a great job of continuing to work on the different ways he can impact the game offensively.” When he did, he showed that he knew how to play.”
Coach Steven Cyrus was disappointed that the Rockets had sent Markkanen to the line multiple times.
“The free throws were the biggest part,” he said. “That’s always the biggest part. When a player gets a lot of points, it’s your ability and don’t let him foul him or put him on the line 13 times. That’s how it usually goes.” does it work?”
The Jazz took their first lead of the second half after Clarkson’s jump shot gave them a 7-point lead before the Rockets made it 86-85 with an 11-3 spurt. Porter and Jeshaun Tate won the run with back-to-back 3s to put Houston on top.
The Rockets haven’t been on top for a long time. Utah scored his ten points final in the third quarter. Malik Beasley When Mike Conley95-86 leading in fourth.
