Mitchell’s Big Fourth Quarter Leads Jazz Over Pelicans

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz won their ninth straight road game with a 115-104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 29 points including 15 points in the fourth quarter to stymie a late Pelicans run.

Jonas Valanciunas scored 25 points to lead New Orleans, but the Jazz moved to a league-best 13-3 record on the road.

First Quarter

The Jazz looked a step slow to open their road trip in the first quarter, allowing the Pelicans to win the majority of the 50-50 balls.

Mitchell, Conley, and Bogdanovic combined to shoot just 2-10 in the quarter which made it difficult to score, though the offense was generating good looks.

JC from 3️⃣ 🔥🔥🔥#TakeNote #UTAvsNOP https://t.co/1jL4B33E7H

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 4, 2022

However, Jordan Clarkson knocked down 3-4 from the three-point line to lead all scorers with nine points.

After one, the Jazz trailed the Pelicans 24-23.

Second Quarter

The Jazz had more energy in the second quarter led by solid minutes from Trent Forrest who had three points and one rebound in just three minutes on the floor.

Rudy Gay and Joe Ingles continued to struggle off the bench, shooting just 1-8 for four points, but the Jazz were still +4 in their 23 combined second unit minutes.

🌲 @TForrest_11 completes the three-point play🌲#TakeNote #UTAvsNOP https://t.co/SXh85xjsyp

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 4, 2022

Mitchell, Conley, and Bogdanovic hit a few shots late in the half which gave the Jazz offensive momentum heading into the third quarter.

At the half, the Jazz led New Orleans 52-49.

Third Quarter

After a slow first half, Bogdanovic came out with a strong third quarter scoring 12 points and three rebounds.

However, Clarkson failed to record any statistics in his first five minutes of the half after an important first quarter.

Spida put ‘em on ⛸s 😬#TakeNote #UTAvsNOPhttps://t.co/vhA3Yv0y4t

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 4, 2022

Jonas Valanciunas had foul trouble in the first half but had an impactful 11 point third quarter to keep the Pelicans attached in the game.

After three, the Jazz led the Pelicans 82-77.

Fourth Quarter

The Jazz let the Pelicans trim the lead to just six with under three minutes left to play, but Bogdanovic answered with back-to-back threes to give the Jazz a late 12 point lead.

Mitchell took over for the Jazz when they needed him scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter and finishing with a game-high 29 points in the Jazz win.

Valanciunas had 25 points to lead the Pelicans but Bogdanovic added 21 for the Jazz while Conley added 22 as the Jazz won their 13th road game of the season.

The Jazz beat the Pelicans 111-102.

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