Game ID: 22301100
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Utah Jazz
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
UTA 25 22 34 32 113CLE 40 27 30 32 129
CLE @ UTA ScoutingCLE @ UTA Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
UTA availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Clarkson missed 6 since 3/15, returns tonight: 33 min (108% of 31)
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 7 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 2 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Preston missed 2 since 3/21, out tonight
BACK Markkanen back 3/18 after 6, 33 min since (101% of 33)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/16 after 2, 14 min since (124% of 11)
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 28 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Lofton Jr. missed 8 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 3 since 3/21, returns tonight: 4 min (20% of 20)
OUT Preston missed 3 since 3/21, out tonight
BACK Markkanen back 3/18 after 6, 33 min since (101% of 33)
BACK Clarkson back 3/25 after 6, 33 min since (108% of 31)
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 27 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Lofton Jr. missed 9 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Dunn missed 2 since 3/25, returns tonight: 22 min (114% of 19)
OUT Preston missed 4 since 3/21, out tonight
BACK Clarkson back 3/25 after 6, 33 min since (108% of 31)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 3/27 after 3, 4 min since (20% of 20)
NEW George 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 28 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Clarkson missed 2 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 10 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Preston missed 5 since 3/21, out tonight
BACK Horton-Tucker back 3/27 after 3, 4 min since (20% of 20)
BACK Dunn back 3/29 after 2, 22 min since (114% of 19)
NEW George 27 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 30 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Clarkson missed 3 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 11 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 2 since 3/29, returns tonight: 13 min (64% of 20)
OUT Preston missed 6 since 3/21, out tonight
BACK Dunn back 3/29 after 2, 24 min since (129% of 19)
NEW George 27 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 30 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 4/05 · 2 days' restOUT Clarkson missed 4 since 3/27, not on tonight's roster
OUT Collins missed 2 since 3/31, not on tonight's roster
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 12 since 3/12, returns tonight: 12 min (53% of 23)
OUT Preston missed 7 since 3/21, returns tonight: 17 min (166% of 10)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 3/27 after 3, 8 min since (42% of 20)
BACK Dunn back 3/29 after 2, 24 min since (127% of 19)
NEW George 27 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Sensabaugh 18 to 24 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 4/07 · 1 day's restBACK Lofton Jr. back 4/05 after 12, 12 min since (53% of 23)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 3/27 after 3, 14 min since (72% of 20)
BACK Dunn back 3/29 after 2, 24 min since (126% of 19)
BACK Preston back 4/05 after 7, 17 min since (166% of 10)
NEW George 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Hendricks 21 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Juzang 19 to 26 min over the last 3
NEW Yurtseven 11 to 17 min over the last 4
UTA availability going into 4/09 · 1 day's restBACK Lofton Jr. back 4/05 after 12, 12 min since (53% of 23)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 4/02 after 2, 20 min since (98% of 20)
BACK Dunn back 3/29 after 2, 24 min since (126% of 19)
BACK Preston back 4/05 after 7, 17 min since (166% of 10)
NEW Juzang 19 to 28 min over the last 4
NEW Sensabaugh 18 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Yurtseven 11 to 21 min over the last 4
UTA availability going into 4/11 · 1 day's restOUT Lofton Jr. missed 2 since 4/07, returns tonight: 27 min (121% of 23)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 4/02 after 2, 24 min since (120% of 20)
BACK Preston back 4/05 after 7, 11 min since (112% of 10)
NEW Bazley 24 to 30 min over the last 3
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 3
NEW Juzang 19 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Sensabaugh 18 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Yurtseven 11 to 24 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/25 · back-to-backOUT Mitchell missed 4 since 3/18, out tonight
OUT Strus missed 11 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 8 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 21 min since (67% of 32)
BACK Thompson back 3/16 after 25, 13 min since (119% of 11)
NEW Okoro 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Niang 21 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Morris Sr. 15 to 21 min over the last 4
CLE availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 5 since 3/18, out tonight
OUT Strus missed 12 since 3/05, returns tonight: 24 min (75% of 33)
OUT Wade missed 9 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 23 min since (73% of 32)
NEW Niang 21 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 25 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 6 since 3/18, returns tonight: 32 min (90% of 36)
OUT Wade missed 10 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 24 min since (75% of 33)
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 26 min since (81% of 32)
NEW Niang 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 25 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Wade missed 11 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 32 min since (90% of 36)
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 26 min since (79% of 33)
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 27 min since (85% of 32)
NEW Niang 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 25 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Wade missed 12 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 2 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 32 min since (88% of 36)
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 26 min since (81% of 33)
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 27 min since (86% of 32)
NEW Merrill 17 to 23 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 4/03 · back-to-backOUT Okoro missed 2 since 3/31, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 13 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 3 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 32 min since (88% of 36)
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 28 min since (86% of 33)
NEW Merrill 17 to 24 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 4/06 · 2 days' restOUT Okoro missed 3 since 3/31, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 14 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 4 since 3/29, returns tonight: 2 min (13% of 13)
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 34 min since (94% of 36)
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 30 min since (92% of 33)
CLE availability going into 4/07 · back-to-backOUT Okoro missed 4 since 3/31, returns tonight: 25 min (95% of 26)
OUT Wade missed 15 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 35 min since (97% of 36)
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/06 after 4, 2 min since (13% of 13)
CLE availability going into 4/10 · 2 days' restOUT Wade missed 16 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Okoro back 4/07 after 4, 25 min since (95% of 26)
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/06 after 4, 2 min since (13% of 13)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 122, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Collins at 24 and Sexton at 23 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Clarkson (3 straight), Lofton Jr. (11 straight), Horton-Tucker (2 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 16 free throws a game; Eva. Mobley at 17 and Allen at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Wade (12 straight). One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the line, where Utah takes 25 free throws a game to Cleveland's 16 and the arc, Cleveland at 39 percent from three to Utah's 33. Call it Utah 114, Cleveland 113, Cleveland keeping it close.
3/25 vs DAL 105-115 — UTA notes
UTA lost 105-115. UTA shot 43% (37 of 87) to DAL's 48%, 13 of 39 from three. UTA turned it over 12 times to DAL's 6, and DAL turned those into 9 steals. Markkanen led with 34 (10 of 19, 6 of 9 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Collins added 21, Sexton 20. Q1 was theirs, 41-37, but the other 3 periods went 78-64 against them. Sexton's -15 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/27 vs SAS 111-118 — UTA notes
UTA lost 111-118. UTA shot 47% (39 of 83) to SAS's 51%, 13 of 35 from three. Sexton led with 26 (11 of 20, 2 of 6 from three); Markkanen added 25, J. Collins 18. Q2 was theirs, 33-30, the deficit cut from 14 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 88-78 against them. Sensabaugh's -8 in 13 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/29 vs HOU 100-101 — UTA notes
UTA lost 100-101. UTA shot 46% (37 of 80) to HOU's 38%, 8 of 31 from three, and got to the line 19 times to HOU's 28. UTA turned it over 20 times to HOU's 10, and HOU turned those into 10 steals. Collins led with 30 (10 of 14, 4 of 5 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Sexton added 29, Juzang 12. Q1 was theirs, 23-13, but the other 3 periods went 88-77 against them. They led by as many as 13. Sensabaugh's -16 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/31 @ SAC 106-127 — UTA notes
UTA lost 106-127. UTA shot 41% (34 of 83) to SAC's 54%, 16 of 41 from three. The glass went 33-44 against them. Sensabaugh led with 22 (6 of 14, 5 of 10 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Sexton added 22, George 18. Q2 was theirs, 29-29, but the other 3 periods went 98-77 against them. Sexton's -27 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/02 vs CLE 113-129 — UTA notes
UTA lost 113-129. UTA shot 48% (41 of 85) to CLE's 54%, 16 of 37 from three, and got to the line 18 times to CLE's 24. UTA turned it over 19 times to CLE's 13, and CLE turned those into 10 steals. Sensabaugh led with 22 (8 of 14, 6 of 9 from three); Sexton added 19, Hendricks 18. Q3 was theirs, 34-30, the deficit cut from 20 to 16, but the other 3 periods went 99-79 against them. George's -19 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/05 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; George at 24 and Leonard at 23 a game. Without Leonard (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 118, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sexton at 23 and Collins at 23 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Clarkson (4 straight), Collins (2 straight), Lofton Jr. (12 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the turnovers, Utah giving it away 17 times a game to the Clippers' 10 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 106 a night to Utah's 118. Call it the Clippers 116, Utah 110.
4/07 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 106, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 14 free throws a game; Curry at 25 and Thompson at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Kuminga (6 straight), Šarić (9 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Hendricks at 11 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-6 a night and Utah minus-5 and the defense, Golden State allowing 106 a night to Utah's 121. Call it Golden State 120, Utah 110, Golden State by 10.
4/09 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sexton at 19 and George at 13 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 106, shooting 49 percent and 43 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 31 and Porter Jr. at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-7 a night and Utah minus-8 and the defense, Denver allowing 106 a night to Utah's 121. Call it Denver 117, Utah 111.
4/11 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 123, shooting 43 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Horton-Tucker at 18 and Sexton at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Lofton Jr. (2 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; VanVleet at 21 and Ja. Green at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Houston 117, Utah 116, Utah keeping it close.
3/25 vs CHA 115-92 — CLE notes
CLE won 115-92. CLE shot 53% (46 of 86) to CHA's 42%, 17 of 41 from three, and got to the line 10 times to CHA's 18. The glass went 47-33 for them. Allen led with 17 (7 of 9); Mobley added 17, Niang 17. The hinge was Q2, 31-17: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 25. Niang was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
3/27 @ CHA 111-118 — CLE notes
CLE lost 111-118. CLE took 9 more shots (85 to 76), but shot 49% to CHA's 58%, 19 of 44 from three, and got to the line 14 times to CHA's 22. Allen led with 24 (11 of 14); Strus added 19, Merrill 17. Q1 was theirs, 43-33, but the other 3 periods went 85-68 against them. They led by as many as 14. Okoro's -13 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/29 vs PHI 117-114 — CLE notes
CLE won 117-114. CLE shot 55% (45 of 82) to PHI's 45%, 16 of 37 from three. Niang led with 25 (10 of 14, 5 of 8 from three); Mobley added 20, Strus 15. The hinge was Q4, 32-27: CLE came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 3. Garland was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
3/31 @ DEN 101-130 — CLE notes
CLE lost 101-130. CLE shot 46% (38 of 82) to DEN's 57%, 8 of 25 from three, and went to the line 21 times to DEN's 13 — 17 points from the stripe to their 9. The glass went 28-51 against them. Mobley led with 23 (9 of 10); Allen added 19, LeVert 15. Q1 was theirs, 26-30, but the other 3 periods went 100-75 against them. Mitchell's -27 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/02 @ UTA 129-113 — CLE notes
CLE won 129-113. CLE shot 54% (46 of 85) to UTA's 48%, 16 of 39 from three, and went to the line 24 times to UTA's 18 — 21 points from the stripe to their 15. CLE turned it over 13 times to UTA's 19. LeVert led with 26 (9 of 13, 2 of 3 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Allen added 21, Mobley 21. The hinge was Q1, 40-25: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 24. Allen was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
4/03 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 109, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 15 free throws a game; Booker at 30 and Durant at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 113, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 16 free throws a game; Allen at 19 and Eva. Mobley at 18 a game. Without Okoro (2 straight), Wade (13 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-8 a night and Cleveland minus-2. Call it Phoenix 115, Cleveland 111, Cleveland keeping it close.
4/06 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Davis at 26 and James at 25 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Reddish (2 straight), Vanderbilt (27 straight), Wood (21 straight). 2 days' rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Allen at 19 and Eva. Mobley at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Okoro (3 straight), Wade (14 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-7 a night and Cleveland minus-6 and the line, where the Lakers take 23 free throws a game to Cleveland's 18. Call it the Lakers 118, Cleveland 112.
4/07 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; George at 23 and Zubac at 15 a game. Without Leonard (3 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Eva. Mobley at 18 and LeVert at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Okoro (4 straight), Wade (15 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 105 a night to Cleveland's 119 and the line, where the Clippers take 25 free throws a game to Cleveland's 18. Call it the Clippers 116, Cleveland 108.
4/10 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Eva. Mobley at 18 and LeVert at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Wade (16 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 103, shooting 43 percent and 30 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jackson at 14 and Clarke at 12 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Aldama (4 straight), Kennard (3 straight), Stevens (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-5 a night and Cleveland minus-7 and the defense, Memphis allowing 103 a night to Cleveland's 120. Call it Cleveland 111, Memphis 108, Memphis keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
CLECL C. LeVert
DG D. Garland
DJ D. Jones
EM E. Mobley
GN G. Niang
JA J. Allen
MM M. Morris Sr.
MS M. Strus
SM S. Merrill
TT T. Thompson
UTABS B. Sensabaugh
CS C. Sexton
KD K. Dunn
KG K. George
KL K. Lewis Jr.
LS L. Samanic
OY O. Yurtseven
TH T. Hendricks
TH T. Horton-Tucker
WK W. Kessler
CLE/UTA the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Caris LeVert scores 26, leads Cavaliers to 129-113 victory over Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY -- — Caris LeVert scored 26 points and Jarrett Allen had 21 points and 12 rebounds, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Utah Jazz 129-113 on Tuesday night.
LeVert started in place of Donovan Mitchell , who missed Tuesday’s game due to injury management. Evan Mobley added 21 points for the Cavs, and reserve Sam Merrill had 18 points on six 3-pointers.
Cleveland had 38 assists on 46 baskets and shot 54% from the field.
“We try to take the play that’s there and we have enough talent on this team that if we just make the simple play, defenses are going to have to make tough choices,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.
The Cavaliers also scored 26 points off 20 Jazz turnovers while leading wire to wire. They stopped a four-game road losing streak.
“This was one of those nights where it felt like we played our type of basketball,” Allen said. “The ball was moving. We were talking on defense.”
Brice Sensabaugh made six 3-pointers and scored 22 points for Utah, matching his season high in his rookie year.
“I think it was just a matter of time before I started getting my rhythm,” Sensabaugh said. “I struggled for a while ... but the rim is opening up for me.”
Collin Sexton had 19 points and six assists, and Taylor Hendricks added 18 points.
The Jazz played without starters Lauri Markkanen and John Collins in their 10th consecutive loss. Reserve center Walker Kessler was held out in the second half after suffering a nasal fracture.
Cleveland made its first seven shots from the field while surging to a 23-9 lead midway through the first quarter. The Cavaliers shot 68% from the field and totaled 40 points during the quarter while repeatedly getting open looks from the perimeter and at the rim. They had 13 assists on 15 field goals during that stretch.
“We wanted to send a message from the beginning of the game,” Allen said. “We wanted to get back to what we know is how we play basketball and that’s what the first quarter was.”
Besides playing lackadaisical defense, the Jazz also committed seven first-quarter turnovers.
“We’ve got to play with more force when we have the ball in our hands,” Utah coach Will Hardy said. “You can’t expect anybody to get out of the way. We should expect to get bumped and hit a little bit.”
Cleveland extended its lead to 45-29 on Darius Garland’s 3-pointer before Utah clawed back into the game. Omer Yurtseven capped an 11-2 run with a three-point play that cut the deficit to 50-45.
Allen and Mobley combined for three dunks to push the lead back to double digits and spark a 17-2 run that put the Cavaliers up 67-47 at halftime.
“I thought our energy level was high and that’s what we talked about with the guys, making sure a young team didn’t come and outcompete us and outwork us,” Bickerstaff said.