Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz cared very little about the New Orleans Pelicans winning 18 of their first 26 games of the season and fully clamped down on defense when Zion Williamson and company came to Salt Lake City. Jazz rookie Walker Kessler shows zero intimidation against Williamson with an authoritative rejection - and the mentality is contagious when Udoka Azubiuke turns aside Kira Lewis Jr. and Lauri Markkanen makes sure Willy Hernangomez meets a similar fate. Talen Horton-Tucker also puts Hernangomez on notice with a steal, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker puts an exclamation point on his 19-point, three-rebound, six-assist offensive effort by recording one of his two blocks at the expense of Larry Nance Jr. The Jazz added four steals to their 10-block output while forcing 17 turnovers and frustrating New Orleans into a forgettable 4-for-27 showing from three in the 121-100 win on December 13, 2022. · Dec 13, 2022