SALT LAKE CITY — In a thrilling game on Thursday night, Norman Powell delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a season-best 41 points, while James Harden contributed significantly with 32 points, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a narrow 120-116 overtime triumph over the Utah Jazz.
Harden not only made his mark as a scorer but also filled the stat sheet, recording 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. The Clippers managed to overcome a daunting 20-point deficit during the match and celebrated their second victory over Utah in three encounters this season.
During the overtime period, the Clippers maintained their lead without ever falling behind, but it wasn’t until Powell made consecutive shots that they established a more comfortable lead at 119-114 with just 59 seconds still on the clock.
For the Jazz, Kyle Filipowski had an impressive outing, scoring a career-high 20 points along with 10 rebounds. Both Lauri Markkanen and John Collins contributed to the score with 20 and 17 points, respectively.
Utah showcased their shooting prowess, nailing 13 three-pointers and achieving a remarkable 56.5% shooting from beyond the arc before halftime. This offensive display gave the Jazz a commanding 50-30 lead just five minutes into the second quarter. However, the Clippers rallied, scoring on eight consecutive possessions, which included six straight baskets, with Powell contributing to this turnaround. He capped his scoring spree with a basket that caused Utah’s lead to shrink to 57-52 before the end of the half.
It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Los Angeles managed to take the lead, going ahead 103-100 after Powell’s layup and Harden’s stepback three-pointer fueled an 11-1 run. Utah’s Isaiah Collier then tied the game by converting two free throws in the final moments, sending the game to overtime.
Noteworthy performances included Simmons from the Clippers, who recorded 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals. The Jazz struggled with ball possession, committing 26 turnovers, which resulted in 20 points for Los Angeles.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Collier and Svi Mykhailiuk capitalized on back-to-back steals to score, narrowing Utah’s deficit to just one point with 1:34 left on the clock. However, Powell responded decisively with two baskets to halt the Jazz’s momentum.
One significant statistic from the game was that nine out of Utah’s eleven field goals in the first quarter were three-pointers, allowing the Jazz to start the game at 12 of 17 from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, the Clippers will travel to Milwaukee on February 20, while the Jazz are set to host Oklahoma City on February 21.
