The Utah Jazz, winners of ten straight, went into Dallas looking to keep the fire burning. Donovan Mitchell and Derrick Favors both missed their second straight games (both against the Mavs). Mitchell is still in concussion protocol and Favors has lower back soreness. Scott Foster, always a wildcard in Jazz games, was there to keep things interesting.

The absence of Donovan Mitchell didn’t seem to bother the Jazz at all early. They took off to a quick 12-6 start with Conley playing strong and the entire team active on defense.

Joe Ingles came into the game just behind John Stockton for the franchise record in three-point field goals.

It didn’t take long for Ingles to break the record, with two quick three’s after the first time-out. Congratulations Jingles! Pretty good for someone who was a fringe player just a few seasons ago.

The Jazz looked super active on defense in the first quarter. Wildcard Scott Foster made his presence known early, whistling Gobert for two early (questionable fouls).

No worries, as the Jazz continued their barrage from downtown. Clarkson hit 3. Conley, Bogie, and Morgan added one each themselves, and the lead ballooned to 37-11 just like that.

The Mavs look look lost whenever Doncic isn’t involved. In my opinion, Porzingiz looks like hot garbage, a dumptruck fire; he finished with 11 points and 5 fouls, including an attempted high flying dunk in garbage time where he was stuffed by the rim.

Mavs went on a mini-run in the second quarter, dropping the lead all the way to 13 with 2 minutes left. The Jazz answered to finish the half with Gobert hitting and and-1 and Conley contributing a pair of free throws and a step-back three.

Jazz led by 16 at the half, 61-45. They opened up the 2nd half on another run, quickly pushing the lead up to 25, 76-51.

This game provided the Jazz with a great opportunity to try and reintegrate Bojan Bogdonavich and get him out of his slump. Bogie finished with 7 three-pointers and 32 points, helping the Jazz to end the 3rd quarter with a 94-68 lead.

The 4th quarter was mostly uneventful. Jazz finished off the Mavs 120-101 to win their 11th straight.

Game MVP

This was a really balanced effort from the Jazz, especially without Mitchell and Favors. Six players finished in double figures: Bogie with 32, Jingles with 10, Gobert with 17, Conley with 22, Morgan with 12, and Clarkson with 18.

Bogey was a good candidate with his 32 points, but I felt like much of it came after the game was pretty much out of hand. Although he deserves credit for holding off the Mavs in the 2nd half, I don’t think his performance warrants MVP honors.

Rudy Gobert, on the other hand, continues to demonstrate his value to the Utah Jazz. rudy finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks in only 25 minutes. Gobert continues to demonstrate his defensive prowess, solidifying his reputation as the best defensive player in the game, best defensive player on the planet, and maybe best defensive player of the generation.

Big ups to Rudy Gobert! Respect for showing the world that hard work and dedication pays off. Jazz fans should rejoice and take pleasure in the fact that Gobert plays, and dominates, for their beloved team.

Parting Thoughts

The Utah Jazz look legit. It’s difficult to beat a team like the Mavs, who have a superstar in Doncic, in back to back games. Add in the fact that the Jazz were without their leading scorer in Donovan Mitchell and key big-man off the bench, Derrick Favors, and it makes the feat all that more meaningful.

The Jazz could have a special team on their hands this season. It should be fun for Jazz fans to join the ride. Under the Quinn Snyder regime, the Jazz have started poorly every season, only to come on strong later. But, this Jazz team doesn’t just feel different, it is different.

Among their 15 wins, they’ve beaten the Blazers, Clippers, Bucks, Nuggets, Nuggets, Warriors, and Mavericks (2x). Those wins are all legit. Jazz look poised and confident.

Let’s hope this train keeps on rolling. It’s an exciting time for Jazz fans.