Jazz avenge game one heart-breaker, destroy Nuggets in game two

Game two was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Utah Jazz.

Fresh off an absolute heart-breaker on Monday morning, the Jazz bounced back in a big way Wednesday afternoon in game two. Locked in as ever, they hopped out to an 8-point lead in the first quarter, and never looked back. You could tell the Jazz had a different energy in this game, especially Rudy Gobert. Gobzilla had a huge sequence at the end of the first half with a couple dunks and this monster block on “The best center in the NBA”.

Gobert’s energy was contagious, and the entire Utah Jazz team quickly caught up with it.

The Jazz absolutely torched the nets in this game, shooting 20 for 44 from three. At one point in third quarter they were shooting over 60 percent, and every player on the team just couldn’t miss. Donovan Mitchell started slow, but as we’ve seen time and time again, got going in a hurry and scored 21 points in the third quarter alone. Mitchell continued his impressive playoffs with 30 points and 8 assists, bringing his point total through two games to 87 (!!!!)

He’s taken it upon himself to be “that dude” during the playoffs, and has risen to the occasion. He gets in these zones sometimes during games where you know exactly what he’s going to do, but you can’t stop it. He gets that fiery look in his eye right as he hits that pull-up three right in yours. When he gets locked in like this, it’s truly amazing to watch. Don’t take it personal though, as per Spida himself.

Jordan Clarkson scored 26 off the bench in another perfect example of what fire he can bring to the Jazz when he’s locked in. Joe Ingles played another great game with 18 points and 6 assists, and did exactly what the Jazz needed him to do in this game. From top to bottom, this roster played a great game for the Utah Jazz today.

Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images

With the Jazz playing by far the best game inside the Orlando bubble today in game two, it’s hard not to question how things will go once Mike Conley is approved for play (presumably game three). Donovan Mitchell has been on another level in these two games without Conley playing, with most of his minutes coming at the point guard position. Conley brings a lot to the Jazz in terms of depth, leadership, and experience, so it’s a little ridiculous to say the Jazz are better off without him. But it is worth thinking about the impact that having him back will have on Donovan Mitchell, and how much it will take the ball out of the absolutely scorching Spida’s hands.

The Jazz have two days of practice before game three on Friday, and you can bet that the Nuggets will make a bunch of adjustments and come ready to play, after getting dominated and embarrassed in game two.