For Utah, life without Rudy Gobert was starting to get tough. Five matches, four defeats and a defense full of holes in the absence of the French pivot (118.6 points conceded on average). Fortunately, “Gobzilla”, recovered from Covid-19 contamination, returned to Denver on Sunday evening, and the Jazz took the opportunity to win at the Nuggets (125-102).
Facing Nikola Jokic, Gobert and Utah hunkered down for three quarters. The Serbian pivot collected his ninth triple double of the season (25 points, 15 rebounds, 14 assists) and the Colorado franchise remained in contact (88-91, 36th). But Michael Malone decided to call Jokic back on the bench to give him a break and the Jazz did not miss the opportunity.
A 15-0 to fold the match
Donovan Mitchell (31 points), Jordan Clarkson (16) and Rudy Gobert (18 points, 19 rebounds, 2 blocks) launched a devastating “run”: 15-0, until the return of the Serbian pivot on the floor (88- 102, 39th). A brilliance from which Denver never recovered despite Jokic and Aaron Gordon (20 points).
Quin Snyder, the Jazz coach, was even able to blow his executives, released three minutes from the buzzer, once the meeting was over. Gobert finished his match with 100% shooting success (7 out of 7) and satisfied with the defensive effort of his comrades. ” The energy was there, the communication too and each player gave everything in defense », greeted the tricolor pivot.
Utah retains its third place in the Western Conference (29 wins -14 losses), neck and neck with Memphis and two wins from Golden State (2nd). For its part, Denver remains sixth (22 wins – 20 losses), ahead of Minnesota and the Los Angeles Lakers.
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