Jazz Can Fight Back Into the Playoff Picture in Sacramento
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Salt Lake City. — On Friday night, the Utah Jazz were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks, 144-116. The loss will further dampen Utah's playoff outlook, as the team slipped to the No. 12 seed (of 15 teams) in the Western Conference.
The Jazz now sport a 35-38 record and are still staring down the barrel of a competitive season-ending schedule. This contest was decided early as the Bucks seized control from the tip with its full complement of healthy players.
Many consider Milwaukee the favorite to win this year's NBA championship, and Jazz fans were treated to a gracious visiting team performance. The Jazz recorded four double-digit scorers, led by Simone Fontecchio's 26 points. Kelly Olynyk dropped 16 points, Talen Horton-Tucker chipped in with 13 points, and rookie Johnny Juzang tossed in 10 points.
Simply put, there are no moral victories in the NBA, but a silver lining for Jazz Nation is how everyone in uniform played and scored. Coach Will Hardy receives an A grade on how to properly manage a game of this magnitude.
The Bucks received an abundance of productivity and landed six players in double-digits. Notable performer Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 24 points, with 11 assists, six rebounds, and a whopping +32 game rating. However, former Jazzman Grayson Allen led the scoring charge with 25 points.
Bucks center Brook Lopez displayed his custom deluxe package with a line of 17 points, 14 boards, seven blocks (!), and a team-high +36 game rating. Another former Jazzman, Joe Ingles, received a warm welcome in his return to Salt Lake City.
With a 53-20 record, the Bucks are the best team in the NBA and will be very difficult to beat in the playoffs. The Jazz will have little time to ponder the loss as they will face the Sacramento Kings on the road on Saturday night.
The Western Conference is so tight that a victory over the Kings could actually catapult the Jazz back into the playoff picture. We'll see who suits up for Utah and how it unfolds.
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