NBA: Bojan Bogdanovic, Rudy Gobert help streaking Jazz beat Wizards
Published Jan 13, 2020 12:00 am
By the Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Even on their biggest roll in two years, the Utah Jazz believe they can get a lot better.
Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) goes to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and center Ian Mahinmi (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Bojan Bogdanovic scored 31 points, Rudy Gobert added 21 points and 14 rebounds and the Jazz beat the Washington Wizards 127-116 on Sunday for their ninth straight victory.
Utah overcame a 15-point deficit in the third quarter to win for the 14th time in 15 games and climb up to second place in the Western Conference.
"It's pretty good, but we feel like we can be a lot better," Gobert said. "The goal is not just to be second in the West, but be the best team in the West at the end of the playoffs."
Jordan Clarkson added 17 of his 23 points in the second half for the Jazz, one of six players in double figures as team scoring leader Donovan Mitchell sat out because of an illness.
"Obviously, Donovan is one of our key guys, so there's always going to be a lot of adjustment, a little different from any player," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "I thought our guys did a really good job of absorbing that collectively."
Bradley Beal scored 25 points for Washington after missing five games with right leg soreness.
Davis Bertans added 18 points and Jordan McRae had 16. Washington lost at home for the first time in four games after letting the third-quarter lead evaporate.
"I think our aggression on both ends of the floor kind of slipped," Beal said. "Turning the ball over, shot selection. Sometimes we had a lot of one-pass shots, no-pass shots. We were kind of slow pushing the pace."
Utah had a 21-3 run to take an 83-80 lead late in the third quarter. Clarkson gave Utah its first advantage since midway through the first quarter with a driving layup that made it 81-80, and followed that with a floater.
The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the third, but Gobert's layup gave Utah the lead for good with 10 seconds left in the quarter.
The Jazz opened the fourth on a 14-5 run to build their lead to 11. Washington would close it to within three once, but Gobert's three dunks inside the final four minutes helped seal the win.
"He does a good job of just being seven feet, and using his arms and his length to his advantage," Beal said.
Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) goes to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and center Ian Mahinmi (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Bojan Bogdanovic scored 31 points, Rudy Gobert added 21 points and 14 rebounds and the Jazz beat the Washington Wizards 127-116 on Sunday for their ninth straight victory.
Utah overcame a 15-point deficit in the third quarter to win for the 14th time in 15 games and climb up to second place in the Western Conference.
"It's pretty good, but we feel like we can be a lot better," Gobert said. "The goal is not just to be second in the West, but be the best team in the West at the end of the playoffs."
Jordan Clarkson added 17 of his 23 points in the second half for the Jazz, one of six players in double figures as team scoring leader Donovan Mitchell sat out because of an illness.
"Obviously, Donovan is one of our key guys, so there's always going to be a lot of adjustment, a little different from any player," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "I thought our guys did a really good job of absorbing that collectively."
Bradley Beal scored 25 points for Washington after missing five games with right leg soreness.
Davis Bertans added 18 points and Jordan McRae had 16. Washington lost at home for the first time in four games after letting the third-quarter lead evaporate.
"I think our aggression on both ends of the floor kind of slipped," Beal said. "Turning the ball over, shot selection. Sometimes we had a lot of one-pass shots, no-pass shots. We were kind of slow pushing the pace."
Utah had a 21-3 run to take an 83-80 lead late in the third quarter. Clarkson gave Utah its first advantage since midway through the first quarter with a driving layup that made it 81-80, and followed that with a floater.
The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the third, but Gobert's layup gave Utah the lead for good with 10 seconds left in the quarter.
The Jazz opened the fourth on a 14-5 run to build their lead to 11. Washington would close it to within three once, but Gobert's three dunks inside the final four minutes helped seal the win.
"He does a good job of just being seven feet, and using his arms and his length to his advantage," Beal said.