Lauri Markkanen scores 28 points, Jazz beat Magic 112-108
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lauri Markkanen scored 28 points and blocked Franz Wagner’s 3-pointer in the closing moments to power the Utah Jazz past the Orlando Magic, 112-108 on Friday night.
Jordan Clarkson, who had 23 points, scored the go-ahead layup, and rookie Walker Kessler made two free throws after rebounding Collin Sexton’s second of two missed free throws with 11.8 seconds to play.
Markkanen switched onto Wagner beyond the 3-point line and blocked the attempt to tie just as the shot left Wagner’s hand.
Wagner scored 26 points and matched a career record of five 3-pointers. This included an off-balance 28 footer to beat the third quarter buzzer.
The Magic erased a 12-point fourth quarter lead with a 19-6 run that was capped by Markelle Fultz’s layup with 42.1 seconds to play that made it 108-107 for Orlando.
Markkanen was remarkable in leading the game in scoring, even though he didn’t have a single field goal by the end of the first quarter.
Facing strong closeouts, Markkanen often took the ball to the basket and the Magic — without much rim protection — were forced to foul. The Finnish 7-foot star was a career best in both free throws (17) and attempted (21).
Markkanen was averaging less than 10 free throws in five games before this season. Markkanen, who is aggressive, has made double-digit free throws five of his seven previous games.
Wendell Carter Jr. and Paolo Banchero each scored 19 points for the Magic. They are now 2-2 after a five game Western trip.
After missing five games due to hamstring strain, Sexton was back in the Utah lineup to score 18 points. Kessler scored 13 points, nine boards, and seven blocked shots, a career high.
For the first time in ten years, the Jazz won back to back games.
TIP-INS
Magic: Gary Harris, the magician, left after suffering a right-hand injury. … The Magic went 10 for 16 from the line, lower numbers than Markkanen by himself. … Fultz had six assists and has 34 over his last five games.
Jazz: Regular starters Kelly Olynyk, (ankle), and Mike Conley, (rest) sat out. … The Jazz missed 14 straight 3-point attempts from the first to third quarter. … Clarkson has drawn flagrant fouls in consecutive games on fourth-quarter 3-point jumpers.
UP NEXT
Magic: In Denver on Sunday night.
Jazz: Philadelphia hosts the event on Saturday night.
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