SALT LAKE CITY – Jordan Clarkson’s spectacular scoring, including 29 of his 36 points in the second half and overtime, combined with Lauri Markkanen’s 31 points, led the Utah Jazz to an exhilarating 154-148 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
Clarkson, fresh off his first triple-double, was instrumental in the Jazz’s win, especially with a crucial 3-pointer late in overtime that extended their lead to 149-142. This game marks the Jazz’s ninth win in their last twelve outings, showcasing their best performance stretch this season.
The dramatic contest saw Markkanen and Alec Burks exchange 3-pointers in the final moments of regulation, pushing the game into overtime. In the extra period, the Jazz took control, continuing the Pistons’ unfortunate trend of losses, with Detroit now having lost 30 of their last 31 games.
Detroit’s Bojan Bogdanovic, a former Jazz player, put up a season-high 36 points, including eight 3-pointers. Burks, also an ex-Jazz, added a season-best 27 points. Cade Cunningham contributed significantly for the Pistons with 31 points and 12 assists, but it wasn’t enough to end their extended 17-game road losing streak.
The game was a high-scoring affair, with both teams setting their season highs in points even before overtime. The last time Utah scored 150 points in a game was in 2021, and the last time they conceded 150 was back in 1986.
Utah’s comeback began in the third quarter, leveraging turnovers into quick points, which included a 3-pointer by Simone Fontecchio and Keyonte George’s fast-break dunk. Despite leading 95-92, the Jazz faced a resilient Pistons team, which surged ahead early in the fourth quarter led by Burks and Bogdanovic.
Collin Sexton also played a key role for the Jazz, scoring 25 points and contributing to their five consecutive home wins.
Detroit’s struggle with maintaining leads was evident again, as they squandered a 10-point lead established in the second quarter.
Looking ahead, the Pistons will face the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, while the Jazz are set to continue their momentum with a road game against the Boston Celtics on the same night. This victory for Utah not only highlights their offensive firepower but also their ability to perform under pressure, setting a positive tone for their upcoming challenging road trip.
