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NBA highlights on Nov. 19: Jazz beat Blazers in West leaders battle
Li Xiang
Players of the Utah Jazz look on in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, November 19, 2022. /CFP
Players of the Utah Jazz look on in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Players of the Utah Jazz look on in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, November 19, 2022. /CFP

The Utah Jazz defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 118-113 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday, replacing the opponents to lead the Western Conference.

Usually, the Jazz are considered as a more "average" team because they have many players able to run the ball but lack a true star to carry the offense for clutch time. By contrast, though coach Chauncy Billups is making progress in molding the Trail Blazers by having everyone play more without the ball, "Rip City" still counts on Damian Lillard to be their most important ace.

However, what happened on Saturday night was not even close to the above impressions of the two teams. The Trail Blazers led in assists 27-23 and had six players score in double digits – Lillard's points (13) were the fewest among them, partly because his touch remained cold from the field (2-for-14), and partly because he exited the game in the third quarter due to discomfort in his right calf.

Malik Beasley (#5) of the Itah Jazz shoots in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, November 19, 2022. /CFP
Malik Beasley (#5) of the Itah Jazz shoots in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Malik Beasley (#5) of the Itah Jazz shoots in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, November 19, 2022. /CFP

By contrast, the Jazz only had three players reach double-figure points, but all above 20. Lauri Markkanen spread his 23 points in a relatively average way without scoring double digits in any of the four quarters, but both Jordan Clarkson and Malik Beasley generated dominant offensive performance in at least one period each.

Having exchanged a low scoring quarter and trailed 23-20 in the first one, the Jazz were the first two find their 3-point shooting touch back. By going 5-for-9 from downtown, they managed to force the opponents' defenders to close out more than they wanted. As a result, the Trail Blazers' paint grew much opener for the Jazz to shoot 8-for-12 there.

The Trail Blazers improved their outside firepower as well, but not as well as the opponents did after Lillard missed all five of his field goals (FGs) from deep. Though their starting center Jusuf Nurkic has size and power advantage over any of his Jazz counterparts, he was not able to score in a crowded paint where he had to face two or even three defenders.

Jordan Clarkson (C) of the Utah Jazz shoots in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, November 19, 2022. /CFP
Jordan Clarkson (C) of the Utah Jazz shoots in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Jordan Clarkson (C) of the Utah Jazz shoots in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Lillard's performance didn't pick up in the third quarter, but his exit became a turning point for the Trail Blazers because they had one fewer defensive weakness to worry about. Having grown more aggressive on the defensive end, the home team had seven steals and forced eight turnovers by the Jazz in the second half.

Such defensive improvement enabled the Trail Blazers to attack in simpler ways, which included fast breaks right after missed shots by their opponents. Josh Hart and Drew Eubanks both benefited from it while Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant began to drain triples.

However, when the Trail Blazers gained the lead 108-107 at 2:00 in the fourth quarter, the negative effect of Lillard's absence began to reveal itself. Rip City didn't have anyone who could take over the team's offense via isolation. Hart and Simons tried to play that role but failed. By contrast, Clarkson scored eight points for the Jazz in less than one minute, partly sealing the victory for his team.

Other games on Saturday (away teams come first):

Trae Young (#11) and AJ Griffin of the Atlanta Hawks celebrate after the 124-122 win over the Toronto Raptors at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, November 19, 2022. /CFP
Trae Young (#11) and AJ Griffin of the Atlanta Hawks celebrate after the 124-122 win over the Toronto Raptors at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Trae Young (#11) and AJ Griffin of the Atlanta Hawks celebrate after the 124-122 win over the Toronto Raptors at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Toronto Raptors 122-124 Atlanta Hawks

Both the Hawks and Raptors understandably had three players play over 40 minutes at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday because the game entered overtime (OT). The two sides' key players matched each other in performance. Trae Young had a double-double of 33 points and 12 assists for the Hawks; Scottie Barnes missed one assists for a triple-double that included 28 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors; Clint Capela had a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds; but the Raptors led 17-11 on the offense glass.

In the end, it was the first-year forward AJ Griffin who sealed the deal for the Hawks. OG Anunoby made a free throw to tie the score 122-122 for the Raptors when there were 3.9 seconds left. The Hawks, with no timeouts left, had to launch attack from their baseline. De’Andre Hunter passed the ball to Dejounte Murry, who then gave it to Young. Young used his speed, a screen set by Capela and the opponents' miscommunication to dodge three defenders when he went drove to the front court.

As the last layer of the Raptors" defensive line, Anunoby had to go forward to guard Young, but that meant Griffin was completely open next to the hoop. Young found Griffin with a perfect lob pass to help him score the layup that brought the Hawks their 10th win of the season.

Aaron Nesmith (#23) of the Indiana Pacers grabs a rebound in the game against the Orlando Magic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 19, 2022. /CFP
Aaron Nesmith (#23) of the Indiana Pacers grabs a rebound in the game against the Orlando Magic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Aaron Nesmith (#23) of the Indiana Pacers grabs a rebound in the game against the Orlando Magic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Orlando Magic 113-114 Indiana Pacers

The Pacers claimed their first four-game winning-streak this season after edging the Magic at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Both Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton dropped double-doubles for the home team, but the Pacers must thank their third-year swingman Aaron Nesmith for pocketing the victory.

The score was 113-113 when there were 23 seconds left in the final quarter. Haliburton missed a 3-pointer from the right wing, but 1.95-meter-tall Nesmith grabbed an offensive rebound over the head of 2.18-meter-tall Bol Bol before earning a foul. Though Nesmith only made one of the two free throws, it was good enough to place the Pacers onto the leading position and made the team the winner after Turner deflected Wagner's final layup.

Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers drives toward the rim in the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 19, 2022. /CFP
Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers drives toward the rim in the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers drives toward the rim in the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Minnesota Timberwolves 112-109 Philadelphia 76ers

Though Joel Embiid played back-to-back and had to face three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, Embiid still managed to score game-high 32 points after making 18 free throws at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It must be pointed out that he played over 35 minutes with an ankle scare but almost helped the 76ers overcome a 20-point deficit (61-41 in the second quarter).

The home team had the chance for a comeback victory. De'Anthony Melton first made a 3-pointer to help the 76ers cut their deficit to one point (110-109) when there were 29 seconds left. Then he stole the ball of Anthony Edwards, but his layup was denied by Edwards. With no other choice, the 76ers had to commit two straight fouls to send Edwards to the free throw line, where he made both attempts and killed the last hope for the 76ers.

Paul George (#13) of the Los Angeles Clippers penetrates in the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, November 19, 2022. /CFP
Paul George (#13) of the Los Angeles Clippers penetrates in the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, November 19, 2022. /CFP

Paul George (#13) of the Los Angeles Clippers penetrates in the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, November 19, 2022. /CFP

San Antonio Spurs 97-119 Los Angeles Clippers

The Spurs didn't give much resistance at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, after allowing the Clippers to make nine triples to score 40 points in the first quarter. 18 of those points came from Paul George. Though he quitted the game in the second quarter because of knee injury, it didn't affect the result of the contest.

Kawhi Leonard, in his second game since he returned, shot 5-for-8 from the field, including making two mid-range jumpers and one triple, to get 11 points and four assists. He previously said it will take two years for his ACL to recover. So far, the Clippers seem to be very patient with his progress.

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