Jazz HC Singles Out Simone Fontecchio Following Magic Road Win
The Utah Jazz got off the schneid on Thursday night, defeating the Orlando Magic on the road, 131-124. Utah displayed great team chemistry and cohesion throughout the night.
Seven different players finished in double-digit scoring, and while it was the All-Star Lauri Markkanen who led all scorers with 31 points, it was Simone Fontecchio who received a good chunk of the praise from Jazz head coach Will Hardy after the game.
"Obviously, ‘Tech’ had one of his best games for us with 17 off the bench," Hardy said post-game. "[It was] great to see him finding some rhythm and some confidence. His teammates are looking for him. I think he’s stuck with it through some tough times, some tough shooting stretches. He’s a really, really good basketball player. He’s been a professional basketball player since he was 16 years old. Transitioning from Europe to the NBA is never easy. It’s not just the basketball, you’re moving your family across the world and there’s a lot that goes with that. And I think he’s just dug in and continued to work."
Indeed, things got a little sketchy for Fontecchio for a stretch there. Known as a sharpshooter from Italy, he found himself in a slump to open up this Jazz road trip.
But Thursday night proved that his coaches' and teammates' belief in him was justified. Fontecchio came through as a shooter with some big baskets, going 5-of-7 from the field, with two rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
When seven guys finish with double-digit points, it speaks to a balanced, complementary approach and that seemed to be what Hardy was most pleased with.
"I guess what I’m trying to highlight is everybody contributed to this win," Hardy said. "That’s how we’re built. That’s how we try to operate every day. It’s not about just one person. And [I’m] just happy for the guys to dig in and get a good win on the road.”
Next up, Utah's road trip continues with a stop to take on the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night. Tip-off is at 5 pm MDT.
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