From bad to worse for the Cavaliers, who lost at home to the Jazz
THE Cavaliers they continue to disappoint. However, in their lair at the Rocket Arena, Kenny Atkinson’s players put up another poor performance and lost (112-123) to the deserving and vengeful Jazz after the correction the Hornets received 48 hours earlier.
The start of the match sets the tone for a difficult evening that awaits Cleveland. The Cavaliers are not able to attack the passing game in the first minutes of the match. Defensive activity is present, but almost systematically with a delay, and the Jazz shooters take advantage of it. Keionte George, Cody WilliamsThen All Mikhailiuk find a 3-point target, and the gap grows at breakneck speed. The visitors lead 21-4 after a little more than six minutes of play!
The Jet Riders
Kenny Atkinson tries to shake up his troops with quick changes and two time-outs. The outside address keeps the look going, and Utah’s subs leave a few balls in the way. But given the confidence from the start, the visitors continued their momentum going 6/12 from distance and 12 points ahead at the end of the first quarter.
Cleveland’s awakening, however, is coming slowly but surely. Donovan Mitchell sets an example in scoring and the home team falls below 10 points. The Jazz try to respond by pressing in the half court, but that maneuver only opens up gaps in their favor Nae’Quan Tomlin etc Darius Garland (9 points each in the second quarter) to get the Cavaliers back in touch.
Alone Lauri Markkanen manages to find positions for Utah, which is caught by the throat of the Cavs’ newfound rhythm on both ends of the court. And with it comes success behind the arc (7/11), as in the best hours of the regular season last year. Cleveland ended the quarter with a long shot by Garland at the buzzer to finish on a 17-2 run and return to the locker room with an eight-point lead.
Le show by Keionte George
However, the improvement did not last. The Cavaliers continue the second period as they started the first: soft in defense and without intensity. Lauri Markkanen and the Jazz shooters once again punished this passivity and erased ten points in less than three minutes. Keyonte George is everywhere and dominates the third quarter with 16 points on 5/8 shooting. We need Tomlin’s influence on the Cleveland side to restart the machine a bit and a good passing gameEvan Mobleyso far very discreet. Everything remains to be done, as Sam Merrill leads his team to a point at the very start of the fourth quarter.
But once again, the Jazz punished the Cavaliers’ mistakes, especially on defense to cover the shooters. Svi Mikhailiuk hits twice from 3-point range, and then the guests bring a point with their dominance in the rebound with 16-6 in three minutes (95-106). Utah is simply hungrier, whether it’s to finish the offensive rebound or to attack the rim and get free throws. The home team capitalizes on their advantage, when Cleveland doesn’t find a solution and locks in hard shots. George capped off a terrific second period with his team’s final five points to end the series with a few whistles.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Juta, what a reaction! We left the Jazz terribly fevered, who looked good in their youth against the Hornets. This Monday, Will Hardy’s players showed a very serious face and a desire to prove that they can be competitive. The dominance of rebounds is a perfect symbol: 50 holds up to 30, and the tandem Markkanen (28 points and 12 rebounds) – Nurkic (11 points, 17 rebounds, 3 interceptions, 2 blocks) in total dominance. Keyonta George’s talent (32 points on 8/16 and 12/12 free throws) and 3-point confidence (18/41) did the rest.
– Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Cows. Not at their best at this point, Cleveland at least had credit for three weeks of winning games in which they were on paper the favorite. Donovan Mitchell and his team were reminded this Monday of their weaknesses from this season, between apathy and inconsistency. 40-20 in the second quarter was just a flash, and even a very good 17/41 from 3-point range is not enough to get out of all situations if there is no desire. The Cavaliers sink to No. 7 in the East.
2026-01-13 05:58:00
