MANILA – Utah Jazz were in cruise control from start to finish as they walloped Orlando Magic, 137-91, in the 2020-2021 National Basketball Association Season on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Donovan Mitchell top-scored with 22 points, while Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Ingles contributed 17 markers apiece as the Jazz stayed on top of Western Conference with a 38-11 win-loss slate.
Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson posted 15 points and nine assists, while Rudy Gobert and Georges Niang submitted double-figures in scoring with 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
The Jazz went to work early with consecutive triples by Ingles for a 38-20 advantage. Mitchell, Clarkson, and Ingles connived on offense in the second period to build a 78-40 halftime edge.
In the third quarter, Utah continued its onslaught with three-point conversions from Bogdanovic and Ersan Ilyasova as the lead swelled to 105-70 late in the quarter.
Wendell Carter Jr. posted double-double 19 points and 12 rebounds, while rookie Chuma Okeke and Dwayne Bacon contributed 16 and 13 markers, respectively, as the Magic dropped to 17-31.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers (34-15) moved to a share of the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 122-113 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves (12-38).
Tobias Harris top-scored with 34 points, Joel Embiid made his return from an injury with 24 markers. Ben Simmons and Shake Milton contributed 14 markers each.
Dallas Mavericks (27-21), on the other hand, heated up in the second half to score a 109-87 victory over Washington Wizards (17-31). Luka Doncic tallied 26 points, eight rebounds, and six assists for the Mavs.
In other results, New York Knicks (25-25) prevailed over Detroit Pistons (14-35), 125-81; Miami Heat (26-24) manhandled Cleveland Cavaliers (17-32), 115-101; and Indiana Pacers (22-26) took down San Antonio Spurs (24-23), 139-133.
BOX SCORE:
UTAH 137 – Mitchell 22, Bogdanovic 17, Ingles 17, Clarkson 15, Gobert 11, Niang 10, Ilyasova 9, Favors 8, Forrest 8, Thomas 7, Oni 5, Brantley 5, O’Neale 3.
ORLANDO 91 – Carter 19, Okeke 16, Bacon 13, Ennis 12, Ross 12, Hampton 12, Randle 5, Bamba 2. Quarterscores: 38-20, 78-40, 107-72, 137-91./PN
