In the opening game of the NBA restart, the Utah Jazz defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 106-104, after a thriller in the closing minutes of the match.
It was Rudy Gobert who scored two free throws to set the final result with 6.9 seconds to go, to give his team a very important win. On the other side, Brandon Ingram had a shot for the win, but the ball didn’t go through the rim.
Utah made a comeback in the last period, which they won 27-17, erasing Pels lead, which happened to be 16 points at one moment. It were the Jazzers who opened the match better, leading 19-8 during the middle of the opening period, but that didn’t last even until the end of the first sequence.
From that moment on, the Pelicans were smashing Quin Snyder’s side, and with 1:46 to go until the halftime, they reached a 60-46 advantage after Jrue Holiday’s two-pointer. Throughout most of the third quarter, New Orleans kept a double-digit lead, but in the end, they couldn’t wrap up the game.
Jordan Clarkson had 23 points and was the best player on the court. The lethal guard player 32 minutes, and was shooting 7-of-8 for two, but 1-of-8 for three adding five boards and two steals.
Donovan Mitchell had 20 with five boards and assists with three steals, while Mike Conley had the same number of points with 4 assists.
Gobert ended the night with 14 buckets, 12 boards, and three blocks. Ingles had 13, Royce O’Neale 12, and 9 boards.
On the other side, the Pelicans had three players with 20+ points. Brandon Ingram was the most efficient one with 23. The young forward added 8 rebounds to that. JJ Redick totaled for 21 points, 4 boards, and Jrue Holiday ended the match with 20, five rebounds, 4 dimes, and three assists.
All questions regarding Zion's minutes need to be redirected to the medical team according to Gentry.
— The Bird Writes (@thebirdwrites) July 31, 2020
Zion played 15 minutes, delivering 13 points. He didn’t have any rebounds and hit six from his eight field-goal attempts. The no.1 pick left the bubble recently, and that is why his appearance tonight wasn’t sure. Williamson was without practice for almost two weeks.
His Pelicans are facing the Clippers up next this Saturday, while on the other side, the Jazzers meet OKC Thunder on the same day.
