Familiar Problems Plague Jazz In Loss To Bucks

Nov 7, 2024, 9:22 PM

Follow @kslsports...

SALT LAKE CITY – Despite a strong first half, the Utah Jazz fell to the Milwaukee Bucks 123-100 to drop to 1-7 on the season.

The Jazz were led by Jordan Clarkson who had 18 points off the bench.

Giannis Antentokounmpo scored 31 points for Milwaukee while Damian Lillard led all scorers with 34.

Related: Second Half Spoils Jazz Lead In Milwaukee

Hot Shooting Abandons Jazz Against Bucks

The Jazz led 61-57 at halftime set up by strong shooting from the roster’s second unit.

Johnny Juzang and Jordan Clarkson knocked down six of the Jazz’s 14 first-half threes to outpace Milwaukee, but the team’s shooting luck abandoned them over the final two periods.

The Jazz shot just 3-15 from three in the second half, including 1-9 in the third quarter as the team fell behind 88-77 heading into the final period.

The Bucks casually dismissed the Jazz over the final 12 minutes, fueled by eight fourth quarter turnovers resulting in 10 Bucks points.

“We had a third quarter that was pretty ugly in a lot of ways, from a turnover standpoint and a shot-making standpoint,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.

Entering the night the Jazz ranked dead last in the NBA in turnovers per game at 19.1, a number that will climb after committing 22 against Milwaukee.

The Jazz are tied with the Orlando Magic for the worst three-point shooting average at 30.3, and though they connected on 41 percent of their threes against the Bucks, they shot just 20 percent from downtown in the second half.

Lauri Markkanen returned from a three-game absence due to back spasms and shot just 3-10 from the floor, scoring eight points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out four assists.

Keyonte George shot 3-11, recording 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

So far this season, the Jazz’s best moments have come when they are making shots at a pace that is impossible to replicate for long stretches. Until the Jazz recognize how to keep games close without superior shotmaking, the losses will continue to pile up.

“Being able to recenter ourselves in a game is a skill that we have to learn. We can’t expect to play 48 clean minutes every night,” Hardy said. “We’ve got to be able to continue to come into time outs, understand what’s happening in the game and recenter ourselves.”

Hardy Goes With Older Lineup Against Bucks

With Markkanen and Clarkson returning to the lineup, the Jazz played an older rotation against the Bucks.

After making three starts, rookie Kyle Filipowski was related to four minutes after the game was well out of hand.

“If anybody is going to have an emotional reaction to who plays every single night, it’s going to be a really hard year,” Hardy said. “We have a lot of young players, and that means we have to think about the big picture of the team, the future, and each of these guys individually.”

Veteran Patty Mills played 16 minutes for the Jazz while Drew Eubanks was on the floor for 18.

Isaiah Collier made his debut with the team after returning from a hamstring injury during the preseason.

The 29th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft recorded one assist, one turnover, and missed his only field goal attempt in four minutes on the court.

“Isaiah has practiced with us one time, Kyle is going to play a lot — there’s only so many minutes to be played in a game,” Hardy added. “There’s a lot of factors that go into the decisions of who plays and who doesn’t.”

Sophomore Brice Sensaaugh recorded the fewest minutes on the team, playing just three minutes after averaging 14 minutes per contest over the first seven games.

Jazz Next Broadcast

The Jazz will travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at 3 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, and video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.

KSL 5 TV Live

KSLSports Feed

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Utah Jazz Vs. Phoenix Suns Blog: Live Updates, Analysis, And More

The Utah Jazz are down in the Valley to take on the Phoenix Suns in the first game after the trade deadline. Stay caught up with our live blog!

1 hour ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Kyle Van Noy Links Up With BYU Football Stars Following Pro Bowl Festivities

Former BYU LB Kyle Van Noy just wrapped up his first-ever Pro Bowl weekend and met up with two former Cougar stars at a Super Bowl event.

4 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

How To Watch Utah State Vs. Fresno State Basketball

The Aggies went from avoiding consecutive losses to now seeking to build another winning streak with a chance to stack their second successive win when they tangle with the Fresno State Bulldogs on Friday, February 7.

5 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Jalen Hood-Schifino Waived By Utah Jazz

Jalen Hood-Schifino has been waived by the Utah Jazz after the guard was acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers.

6 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

How To Watch, Stream Super Bowl LIX, Chiefs-Eagles

SALT LAKE CITY – Football immortality will be on the line for the Philadelphia Eagles and two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Patrick Mahomes looks to lead his Chiefs to a never-seen-before Super Bowl three-peat, while 2,000-yard rusher Saquon Barkley hopes to carry Philadelphia to its second title in the past eight […]

6 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Jazz Face Suns To Open Three-Game Road Trip

The Utah Jazz will travel to Phoenix to face the Suns on the front end of a three-game road trip following the NBA trade deadline.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Familiar Problems Plague Jazz In Loss To Bucks