The Jazz found themselves down 18 at the end of a miserable first quarter in Detroit, before storming back to a four point victory. After a horrendous opening to the game, the Jazz bucked down defensively in the second quarter, and closed the gap to single digits at the half, before Donovan Mitchell carried the team in the second half.
Mitchell scored just two points in the first half, but closed the game with 26 points, including a string of big shots in the fourth quarter to keep the Jazz at arms distance from the Pistons. For the Jazz, it was a welcome sign, for a team that relied on Mitchell’s star closing power most of last season to great success.
Mitchell also added a number of key defensive plays allowing the Jazz to find easy buckets in transition.
Worrisome are the injuries to Dante Exum who rolled an ankle in the first half, and Thabo Sefolosha who injured his hamstring. Both players have recently found their groove in the rotation and added defensive versatility off the bench.
The Jazz will play Monday night in Milwaukee.
