Collin Sexton led with 27 points, and Simone Fonteccio added 24, propelling the Utah Jazz to a 122-114 win over the Portland Trail Blazers during Thursday’s NBA action.<\/p>\n
Despite being shorthanded, the Jazz led by as many as 33 points in the second half, even without Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, or Keyonte George available to play. Fonteccio displayed exceptional shooting, hitting 7 of 8 from the field, including a perfect 5 for 5 from the three-point line. <\/p>\n
Utah coach Will Hardy praised the team’s cohesive performance, especially in defense, and the effective movement of the ball in offense, which he felt contributed to the team’s energy.<\/p>\n
“I thought everyone was very connected, especially defensively,” Hardy said. “And then offensively, I thought the ball moved around great tonight. I think you see what happens to the collective energy when everyone feels like they’re involved.”<\/p>\n
For the Trail Blazers, who face a challenging period with their fifth consecutive loss, Scoot Henderson stood out with a career-high 23 points and 10 assists. Rookie forward Toumani Camara also had a notable performance, setting a personal best with 18 points. Deandre Ayton returned from a knee injury, finishing with 14 points and 9 rebounds.<\/p>\n