Jazz Fall to Pelicans, 112-105: 2 Winners, 2 Losers
The Utah Jazz were defeated by the New Orleans Pelicans 112-105 in an entertaining contest from tip-off until the final buzzer. The loss snapped the Jazz's three-game road winning streak and dropped the Jazz record to 13-19.
The Jazz currently own the 12th spot of 15 teams in the Western Conference. Good and bad performances always take center stage in an NBA game, so let's discuss the winners and losers from the 'Big Easy' affair.
Winner: Collin Sexton
Sexton dazzled with a game-high 26 points, five rebounds, and three assists. He has staked his claim as the "heartbeat of the team" and continues proving he can be penciled in as a starter every night or provide the spark you need as a reserve.
I prefer him as a starter as he does an excellent job of imposing his will on defenders, yet he does not pose a threat to his teammates. When you have an All-Star on your roster, keeping the offensive flow through his hands is important.
In the Jazz case, Markannen is the All-Star, and Sexton is a great complement to his game. Sexton has the most drive and the best motor, provides consistent effort, and provides the Jazz with the same product every game.
'Trader Danny' Ainge can be proud of this trade acquisition, and Jazz fans should look forward to a long relationship with Sexton.
Winner: Lauri Markkanen
The Walking "Double-Double" Machine scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the defeat. He once again showed he is basically match-up proof, meaning he will pose a problem to most defenders each night in uniform.
When a team possesses a go-to option, their value translates on the road. Markkanen was not stymied by the loud road crowd and looked as comfortable as he does at the Delta Center.
As the Jazz move toward becoming a champion, one must wonder what elite player will join Markkanen in a Jazz uniform. Only the future knows, but Markkanen, Sexton, and others will be something to behold with the correct combination.
Loser: Kelly Olynyk
In the blink of an eye, 'KO' has somewhat disappeared. Although he played 19 minutes, he seemed not as engaged as normal. His name has been mentioned in trade conversation which may explain his performance against the Pelicans.
Olynyk provides versatility and a veteran presence on the court, but his days may be numbered in Salt Lake City. Utah will be looking to create a path for first-round pick Taylor Hendricks to get live reps, and trading Olynyk appears to be the most logical path to get there.
Loser: Simone Fontecchio
Fontencchio played 14 minutes in a reserve role and registered a -13 game rating. He seems to have lost the flame we witnessed within the past several weeks. As I have mentioned in previous articles, some players perform better as a starter and vice versa, and being relegated to a reserve may be an issue for Fontecchio.
Notable are the four fouls he committed, and he was struggling with the foot speed and agility of the Pelicans. Hopefully, he can rekindle the energy that earned him playing time while being effective.
The Jazz will attempt a new winning streak when they battle the Miami Heat on Saturday in the Delta Center.
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