The Utah Jazz fall to the Houston Rockets 125-118 for their twelfth loss of the season, and second NBA Cup game loss.
The Jazz got off to a solid start in the first quarter with respectable defense and ball movement. Although no one could stop Alpren Sengun, who was getting everything he wanted all night long (including every foul call), Jaxon Hayes and Mo Bamba punished his poor drop coverage on the other end by catching lobs.
After the first quarter, the game was tied up at 27 a piece. Jaxon Hayes
came out of the game with an injury (the Jazz can’t catch a break with the frontcourt injuries!). Like every other game this season, the bench came in and immediately started turning the ball over and giving up easy baskets, putting the Jazz in a 10-point deficit going into the second half.
Then it got exciting. Darryn Peterson and Keyonte George took over the game, attacking the rim, spraying out the 3-point shooters, and getting stops on the other end. Ace Bailey was hitting his 3s, Keyonte had an amazing 4-point play, and Darryn was controling the game and getting any shot he wanted. Before long, the 10-point deficit became a 10-point lead. Utah’s offense was looking as good as it had all season. Darryn Peterson scored 12 points in the first 6 minutes of the third quarter.
But apparently Will Hardy wanted to change things. Enter: Isaiah Collier and Brice Sensabaugh. Instead of going with what was clearly working, Isaiah Collier pounded the air out of the ball as the lead was erased almost as quickly as it was built.
It was about to get ugly again, but Keyonte George came alive, scoring 23 points in the second half. He was aggressive, attacking the basket and creating contact, but the refs decided only the Rockets were allowed to shoot free throws this game.
Bamba wasn’t doing anything to stop Sengun, who scored pretty much every time he touched the basketball within 15 feet of the rim. Tony Bradley also played 12 minutes, but didn’t do much to stop him either.
However, despite the bench, the refs, and Sengun, the Jazz were still in it. After a beautiful jumper at the elbow from Peterson, the Jazz were down one with 2:40 to go. Amen Thompson scored to put Houston up three, and Keyonte had a terrible turnover, trying to dump the ball down the Bamba in the pain. After George’s turnover, Sensabaugh bricked an offbalance lay, and Sengun scored on the other end.
With 11 seconds left in the game, the Jazz were down 5. Any reasonable person would have assumed a play would be drawn up for Darryn to score. But no. Not only did that not happen, but he was benched for none of than Svi Mykhailiuk.
Sensabaugh got the ball and did nothing other than jump out of bounds and try to get a foul call.
And that was the game.
Another heartbreaking loss in a very winnable game. The young core of the Jazz played great, but it wasn’t enough. The bench is horrendous and Will Hardy continues to make mind boggling decisions with the game on the line.
Darryn Peterson finished with 28 points and 7 rebounds for his fifth straight 20-point game.
This season has been rough, but at least we have Darryn Peterson.
