Utah Jazz takes down the Milwaukee Bucks to win its sixth consecutive time

Over the past week or so, much of the Utah Jazz narrative was that the next tough games would prove who they were. Well, after victories over the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics, Jazz had another tough test at the Milwaukee Bucks.

Joe Ingles, who was starting at the place of injured Mike Conley, came into the game trying to swing some fools. He started hot, scoring the first nine points for Utah, hitting three kicks beyond the hoop. He then went on with a pick and roll hand pass to Rudy Gobert, who unloaded a ferocious dunk right in the face of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Joe finished the first half with 20 points, provoking Jazz fans from everywhere that he can get a new career record. Jordan Clarkson got off the bench and immediately scored three points in one and one. As soon as that happened, everyone knew it would explode. And he left. Clarkson had the float running on all cylinders and was even making some nice passes.

Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis kept the Bucks close with their strokes. Antetokounmpo was instrumental himself, though not through his score. He scored just two points in the first half, but still contributed with a stellar defense, strong rebounds and some great passes for the pitchers. Royce O’Neale was Giannis’ main defender for much of this game and, especially in the first half, was very effective. Royce gives up a lot in this confrontation, but he worked and worked on each ball possession to make life difficult for the MVP. It was clear that Quin Snyder’s game plan was to do everything possible to prevent Giannis from reaching the ring. It is a very difficult task, but one that Jazz was achieving during the first half.

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Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert owned the paint at both ends of the court. This was the first time this year that we saw “Wasatch Front” playing extended minutes together. Those minutes were as they usually are. Jazz’s defense was impenetrable, while the attack was somewhat strange. When Gobert and Favors saw the court individually, the two were dominating. Gobert was closing the game for the Bucks in defense and getting burials or free-throw attempts in the attack.

Jazz was sharing the ball very well tonight. Take a look at this absolutely ridiculous possession.

Jazz led 69-52 at the break.

The start of the third quarter was when Utah was pushing its lead to more than 20. Gobert was dominating, Donovan Mitchell was making it easy and Jazz was having fun.

As the quarter progressed, Milwaukee did what great teams do. They did a long run. Antetokounmpo cannot be contained for long. In this second half, he showed why he won two MVP awards. He attacked the basket relentlessly, displaying his incredible physical gifts. The man can bury from anywhere on the court.

As the Bucks tried to get back in the game, Jordan Clarkson, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert took over from Utah. Clarkson continued to enter the track and hit the floats and occasionally made good passes with his rides, like this one for Gobert.

Joe Ingles sang to everyone who thought he could establish a new high career. We should all know, he reaches exactly 27 points and stops scoring. My theory is that it is out of respect for Rudy Gobert. The Bucks fought hard, winning the third quarter by three points and keeping the fourth quarter tied, but Jazz resisted the storm and kept the lead in the double digits.

Utah Jazz wins 129-115.

Rudy Gobert: 27 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, 9-12 field goals

Donovan Mitchell: 26 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 13-14 free throws

Joe Ingles: 27 points, 5 assists, 7-9 three points

Jordan Clarkson: 25 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds

Tonight marks the first time in the franchise’s history that four Utah Jazz players have scored 25 or more points in the same game.

Although there are four legitimate candidates tonight, Rudy Gobert is the easy choice. Anyone watching this game can see why he deserves to win another Defensive Player of the Year. He was scaring Bucks away from the ring all night. He was blocking Khris Middleton three points, he was catching rebounds and, oh yes, he was scoring 27 points too. Rudy was the owner of the paint on both sides of the court tonight, and that is very difficult to do when you are going against the Greek Freak.

Jazz continued its dominance tonight, bringing its record for a franchise as the best start to 21-5. Enjoy this moment, Jazz fans. This may be the best Utah Jazz has ever played.

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