Donovan Mitchell had 33 points and seven assists and the Utah Jazz rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 106-93 on Wednesday night.
Joe Ingles added 16 points and seven assists, and Rudy Gobert had 12 points and 14 rebounds. Utah improved to 21-21, winning for the third time in four games.
Click to Gallery
Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder shouts to his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives around Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) loses the ball on a shot as Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
A fan reaches for Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) as he walks off the court following the team's NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford shouts to his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) shoots as Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots as Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots as Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross (31) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
D.J Augustin had 23 points and six assists for Orlando, Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and eight rebounds, and Aaron Gordon had 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Magic ended a six-game trip with four straight losses.
Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder shouts to his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
After trailing by 21 points in the second quarter, the Jazz erased the deficit in the third quarter. Utah went 13 of 21 from the field in the quarter while holding Orlando to 5-of-21 shooting.
The Magic ran off four straight baskets and took a 72-53 lead on Augustin's 3-pointer. Utah held Orlando to a single basket over the final 8:42 of the quarter. The Jazz had a 25-3 run during that stretch. Mitchell made three layups and Gobert converted a pair of three-point plays to get Utah within striking distance.
Utah took its first lead at 78-75 when Neto capped the run with a pair of layups.
Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives around Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Mitchel made two baskets and assisted on two others to fuel a 12-1 run and push Utah's lead to 102-89 with 2:02 left.
TIP INS
Magic: Mo Bamba was not in uniform because of a sore left foot. ... Gordon started 4 of 4 from the field, but missed 10 of his final 13 shots. ... Orlando had more turnovers (6) than baskets (5) in the third quarter.
Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) loses the ball on a shot as Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Jazz: Neto made his first start of the season at point guard. He finished with 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists. ... Utah outscored Orlando 60-30 in the second half. ... The Jazz outscored the Magic 52-30 in the paint.
UP NEXT
Magic Host Boston on Saturday
A fan reaches for Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) as he walks off the court following the team's NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Jazz: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford shouts to his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) shoots as Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots as Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots as Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross (31) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints have similar goals of trying to complete lost seasons on high notes that offer hope that the momentum can carry over into next season.
The bad news for the NFC South rivals is that even extending a winning streak in Sunday's final regular-season game would come far too late to make this a successful season.
The Falcons (7-9) have a season-best three-game winning streak and will try to complete their first season sweep of the Saints since 2016.
The Saints (6-10) have won four straight with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. His strong play may already have convinced management there is no need to devote a high draft pick on another quarterback.
The Falcons will try to build on Monday night's 27-24 upset of the Los Angeles Rams. It was by far the most impressive showing of the late-season upswing that also included wins over Tampa Bay and Arizona.
“They’re playing well,” Shough said of the Falcons. "They’re on a really good winning streak. So, I think it’ll be a great matchup for us to kind of finish off the year strong.”
Atlanta's surge came too late to repair damage done by a five-game losing streak that set the groundwork for its eighth consecutive losing season.
After Michael Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury, veteran Kirk Cousins took over as Atlanta's starting quarterback for a 24-10 win at New Orleans on Nov. 23. The win in the first matchup with the Saints started a 4-2 run for the Falcons, but questions remain about the status of second-year coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot.
It's unknown if a fourth straight win would convince owner Arthur Blank to give Morris a third season.
Saints receiver Chris Olave is expected to miss the game after needing treatment of a reported blood clot in his lung.
The loss of Olave leaves the Saints without their top receiver. Olave caught eight passes for 119 yards and a touchdown in last week's 34-26 win at Tennessee and is having his best year with career-high totals of 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns.
Olave's success is even more compelling in light of head injuries that sidelined him for the last half of last season.
Before this week's medical development, Olave said he was “super grateful” to play in the first 16 games. He will be denied appearing in 17 games in a season for the first time in his career.
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has an opportunity to add to his team-record 2,255 scrimmage yards after setting the mark with 229 yards rushing and receiving against the Rams, including a career-high 195 yards rushing.
Robinson's big night included another team record with a 93-yard touchdown run. He said he's motivated to sweep the season series with the Saints and finish the season with a winning streak.
“That would be huge,” Robinson said. “That would mean a lot.”
The Saints failed to score touchdowns on any of their three red zone possessions in the first game against the Falcons. On two of those series, they didn’t score at all, missing a field goal and turning the ball over on downs at the 1-yard line.
At that point in the season, New Orleans had scored touchdowns on just 10 of its 29 red zone opportunities. In their past five games, the Saints have gone 8 of 13.
“It’s better chemistry, better feel of each other and just operating the plan,” Shough said. “It comes down to execution in that way. We’ve been able to do that and we’re going to have to do that again.”
Atlanta's defense has improved as rookie starters James Pearce Jr., Jalon Walker and Xavier Watts have gained confidence. Pearce and Walker lead NFL rookies in sacks. Watts has a rookie-best five interceptions, including two against the Rams.
“We want to win this game for this year, and for all that means,” defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. “But the bigger picture is really laying the foundation for something special going forward. ... So this game will mean a lot in that way that we are building something special.”
Several high-profile Saints veterans are playing their final game of their contracts. They include defensive end Cam Jordan, linebacker Demario Davis and defensive back Alontae Taylor.
Jordan is a 15-year veteran who has a team-high 9½ sacks and has indicated no interest in retiring at age 36.
Davis, 37, has a team-leading and career-high 137 tackles and also sounds interested in continuing to play.
Taylor, a 2022 draft choice and four-year starter, has been plagued by inconsistency as he has moved around in the defensive backfield.
AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank embraces head coach Raheem Morris after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins talks to reporters after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) carries for a long gain in the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) passes against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
