Mitchell scores 28, Jazz beat Pelicans 118-102

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Donovan Mitchell had 28 points and seven rebounds, and the Utah Jazz beat the New Orleans Pelicans 118-102 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight victory.

Mitchell also made “We’re not passing up four of Utah’s 21 3pointers. 3s.” Jor dan Improved defensive Clarkson added 18 play has keyed Utah’s points, six rebounds, surge on the perimeter, and six assists, and reserve and it continued against Joe Ingles scored New Orleans. The Jazz 15 points. Rudy Gobert disrupted shots, crashed had 13 points, 18 rebounds, the boards, and sprinted and three up the court on numerous bl ock s. possessions to stay

“The biggest thing is a step ahead of the Pelicans. we’re shooting our shots,” Mitchell said. “Defending creates those shots and defending keeps us in the game if they’re not going in,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder sai d.

Zion Williamson scored 32 points for New Orleans, and Brandon Ingram had 17. The Pelicans trailed the entire second half after allowing the Jazz to make more than 20 3-pointers for the fourth time in six games.

“We couldn’t stop them on anything,” New Orleans coach Stan Van

Gundy said. “Obviously what stands out is the 21 3s. But they also didn’t have any trouble getting to the rim. So, you know, they got whatever they wanted we didn’t take anything away from them.”

Williamson gave the Pelicans an early lift in the first half. He converted all five of his firstquarter field goal attempts and capped a 70 run with a layup that put New Orleans up 2018.

Mitchell matched his efficiency. He powered the Jazz offense in the first quarter, scoring 15 points while going 6 for 7 from the field. He converted a three-point play to punctuate an 11-2 run that gave Utah a 2922 lead.

Mitchell also had a key stretch in the second quarter. He scored and threw a one-handed wraparound pass as he was falling out of bounds out to Bojan Bogdanovic to set up another basket. The two plays bumped Utah back in front 55-49 before halftime.

The Jazz carried that momentum into the third quarter. Utah made 3-pointers on four straight possessions to extend its lead to 73-55.

Utah made eight total 3-pointers during the quarter. Clarkson and Ingles scored the final two on back-toback possessions to push the Jazz lead to 91-69 heading into the fourth quarter.

“They continued to put the pressure on us, breaking us down on the defensive end with their driving and kicking in,” Ingram said. “That’s usually just how they play.” TI P-I NS

Pelicans: Lonzo Ball returned after a threegame absence due to a knee injury. Ball finished with seven points, four assists, and three steals. … Williamson had backto-back 30-point games for the first time in his NBA career. … New Orleans scored 22 points off 14 Jazz turnovers.

Jazz: Ingles returned after a three-game absence due to Achilles tendon soreness. … Mike Conley had a team-high 10 assists. … Derrick Favors had nine points and seven rebounds in his first game against the Pelicans after spending last season in New Orl ean s.

BUCKLING DOWN One game after giving up a season-high 23 offensive rebounds to Denver, the Jazz clamped down on the glass against New Orleans. The Pelicans had 10 offensive boards and scored 10 second-chance points.

Utah finished with a 60-45 edge on total rebounds. The Jazz made rebounding a collective effort instead of simply trying to battle Williamson and Steven Adams one-on-one around the basket.

UP NEXT

Pelicans: At Utah on Thur sday.

Jazz: Host New Orleans on Thursday.