Donovan Mitchell scored 10 points of his 30 points in an 82-second span of the fourth quarter, and the Utah Jazz snapped a four-game losing streak with a 129-119 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
Bradley Beal maintained his torrid scoring for Washington, finishing with 42 points, 10 assists and five rebounds. Beal has scored an average of 45 points over the last four games, but the Wizards have dropped four of five. Thomas Bryant scored 16 and Rui Hachimura had 15 for Washington.
Click to Gallery
Donovan Mitchell scored 10 points of his 30 points in an 82-second span of the fourth quarter, and the Utah Jazz snapped a four-game losing streak with a 129-119 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
The Jazz have had trouble closing quarters strong during their skid, but Clarkson’s two baskets sparked an 11-0 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters. The biggest cheer came when Royce O’Neale blocked Beal on a driving layup.
Mitchell, who had scored 30 in four consecutive games, missed eight shots in a row as he tried to force the action and keep pace with Beal. But Mitchell sparkled down the stretch, scoring 10 points in a span of 1:22, including a scintillating crossover, step-back 3-pointer over Beal.
Utah trailed by eight in the first quarter, slowed by seven turnovers and plenty of missed defensive assignments.
Jazz: Mitchell got a Flagrant Foul 1 for undercutting Shabazz Napier on a 3-point attempt in the first quarter. … Former NFL star Emmitt Smith watched courtside. … Utah coach Quin Snyder challenged a foul on a 3-point shot in the third quarter, but the call was upheld.
Jazz: Visit Cleveland on Monday night.
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, left, and Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) chase the ball in the first half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots as Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends in the first half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Bojan Bogdanovic scored 21 points, Jordan Clarkson had 20 off the bench and Mike Conley 16 as the Jazz salvaged the last of their six-game homestand.
Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) drives around Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant, left, in the first half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
The Jazz have had trouble closing quarters strong during their skid, but Clarkson’s two baskets sparked an 11-0 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters. The biggest cheer came when Royce O’Neale blocked Beal on a driving layup.
Clarkson later pushed the lead to 104-89 on a floater in the lane, but the Wizards put together one last run.
Beal, who has been averaging almost 17 fourth-quarter points since the All-Star break, made a 3-pointer to cap a 12-0 run and draw Washington within 104-101 with 5:18 remaining.
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) looks at the scoreboard in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Mitchell, who had scored 30 in four consecutive games, missed eight shots in a row as he tried to force the action and keep pace with Beal. But Mitchell sparkled down the stretch, scoring 10 points in a span of 1:22, including a scintillating crossover, step-back 3-pointer over Beal.
Conley made a driving layup with 2:16 left to put the Jazz up 121-108. It's Utah's first win in over two weeks.
Washington led 60-58 at halftime behind Beal's 23 first-half points.
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) pulls down a rebound as Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (8) defends in the second half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Utah trailed by eight in the first quarter, slowed by seven turnovers and plenty of missed defensive assignments.
TIP-INS
Wizards: Beal has scored at least 25 points in 17 straight games. … There were 10 lead changes and eight ties before the Wizards faded in the third quarter. … Washington held Utah to just five fast-break points, all in the second half.
Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant, right, guards Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) in the first half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Jazz: Mitchell got a Flagrant Foul 1 for undercutting Shabazz Napier on a 3-point attempt in the first quarter. … Former NFL star Emmitt Smith watched courtside. … Utah coach Quin Snyder challenged a foul on a 3-point shot in the third quarter, but the call was upheld.
UP NEXT
Wizards: Visit Golden State on Sunday night.
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes to the basket as Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (13) defends in the first half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Jazz: Visit Cleveland on Monday night.
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after a teammate scored against the Washington Wizards in the second half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, left, and Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) chase the ball in the first half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots as Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends in the first half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer)