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Utah Jazz pull out tough win against the Toronto Raptors

Joe Ingles is having the best season that no one is talking about.

Utah Jazz v Toronto Raptors Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

In the last two games Joe Ingles is shooting 81% from three and the Utah Jazz needed every one of them tonight to pull out a 115-112 against the Toronto Raptors.

Tonights win was one of the most improbable for the Jazz. The Raptors shot 48% from the field and 47% from 3 while Utah shot 45% from the field and 32% from three? How’d they do it? First, Joe Ingles being the best player in the NBA helps.

But also they out rebounded the Raptors by 20 and kept the game close for Donovan Mitchell to close it out in the end. Rudy Gobert was dominant all night long blocking shots and keeping the Jazz close enough that they could finish the Raptors off.

What’s incredible for Utah is that Mitchell went 0/9 from three and somehow they won. Depite his off shooting night from three, Mitchell’s heroics at the end of the game, including an old fashioned three point play, and then a Jordan-esque mid-range pullup in traffic. were enough to power the Jazz to a win.

If the Jazz can find a way to get the same level of production from Mitchell from start to finish, they should be able to get back on track to what they were early in the season.

With all that said, Joe Ingles is the story of this game. His three point shooting is off the charts. He’s #2 in the league behind Tony Snell at 49%. Considering he’s taking double the threes that Snell takes at 5.5, we should really consider him the best three point shooter in the league. It’s hard to describe just how lethal Ingles has been. Of players who play significant minutes in the league, Joe Ingles is #1 in teh league in true shooting percentage at 73%. Ingles has figured out the league and he’s taking no prisoners and without his play tonight, Utah doesn’t win the game.


Most Valuable Player

Joe Ingles

Was there any question? Joe Ingles might have a legitimate case for most improved player with how he’s playing this year. He impacts everything while he’s on the floor. At points in this game it also felt like his leadership was necessary. Everyone listens to Ingles and gives him respect. He has a way of making everyone laugh and feel good, but you can tell that there’s a respect there that shows through the screen. Perhaps that what the Jazz need to get back on track, listen to Joe Ingles more.

There’s just not enough good things to say about Ingles and what he does. You can show the stats but watching him night in and night out you feel his impact constantly. Whether it’s scoring a career high 34 points one night or dishing out double-digit assists another, Ingles does everything you need to win and it’s a pleasure to watch. That Ingles pickup by the Jazz might be one of their greatest pickup ever. We don’t appreciate Ingles enough!