SALT LAKE CITY – Lauri Markkanen scored 28 points and blocked Franz Wagner’s 3-pointers in the closing moments to propel the Utah Jazz past the Orlando Magic 112-108 on Friday night.
Jordan Clarkson, who had 23 points, got the go-ahead, and rookie Walker Kessler made two free throws after rebounding Collin Sexton’s second of two missed free throws with 11.8 seconds left.
I said a little silent prayer to myself and it happened. I was relieved,” said Kessler, who shoots 55.7 percent from the line, of his late free throws.
Clarkson saw Kessler’s big smile after the ball went through the basket, but he wasn’t surprised.
“I spoke to him as he was getting ready and told him he was going to knock them over. I have faith in him,” Clarkson said.
Markkanen switched to Wagner from beyond the 3-point line and blocked the equalizer when the shot left Wagner’s hand.
Wagner, who scored 26 points, had a career-best five 3-pointers, including an off-balance 28-foot runner, to beat the third-quarter buzzer.
“We just switched things up and I thought he was probably going to shoot a 3, so I tried to stay down and not foul, but I got a piece of that and we won,” Markannen said.
The Magic erased a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter with a 19-6 run capped by Markelle Fultz’ layup with 42.1 seconds left, making it 108-107 for Orlando.
“I think the fight was there. The intensity was there,” said Wagner. “I think there were a number of moments in the game where we didn’t stop and we can definitely build on that.”
Notably, Markkanen led the game despite not scoring a single field goal after the first quarter.
“I felt like I spent most of the game on the ground after those fouls,” Markkanen said.
Faced with strong closeouts, Markkanen put the ball in the basket often and the Magic – without much rim protection – were forced to foul. The 7-foot star from Finland hit career highs in both his free throws (17) and tries (21).
Prior to this season, Markkanen only had five games in which he had more than 10 free throws. The aggressive Markkanen has had five double-digit free throws in his last seven games.
Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter, Jr. each had 19 points for the magic. They’re gone 2-2 on a five-game trip west.
Sexton returned to the Utah lineup after missing the last five games with a hamstring strain to have 18 points, while Kessler had 13 points, nine rebounds and a career-high seven blocked shots.
The Jazz won back-to-back games for the first time in ten starts.
TIP INS
Magic: Gary Harris left the team with a right hand injury. … The Magic went off the line 10 for 16, lower numbers than Markkanen alone. … Fultz had six assists and has 34 in 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 quarter through the third. … Clarkson has drawn blatant fouls on fourth-quarter 3-point jumpers in back-to-back games.
NEXT
Magic: Sunday night in Denver.
Jazz: hosts Philadelphia on Saturday night.
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