SALT LAKE CITY – In the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz big men Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanen combined for a highlight.
Kessler drew in the defense before dumping off to a cutting Markkanen who rocked the rim.
starting things off with a strong finnish 😲 pic.twitter.com/LUPZ4Qpjx1
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 18, 2025
Chicago caught the Jazz off guard early, opening a 10-0 lead as Utah struggled to find its footing.
Kessler got the Jazz started with an and-one from close range and then set Markkanen up on the next trip down.
Markkanen got out to a hot start with nine of Utah’s first 14 points. He showed off his versatility with buckets from in the paint and outside.
TOUGH fadeaway from Markannen and he gets the friendly home-rim roll.
Utah forces a Bulls timeout with a 10-5 run.#TakeNote
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) March 18, 2025
After storming back from down 10, Chicago responded once again.
A quick 8-0 run but the Bulls back out in front by double digits. The biggest difference was three-point shooting. Chicago made four of its first nine from deep with the Jazz went 0/8.
Jazz Open Homestand By Closing Season Series With Bulls
The Utah Jazz are back in town to kick off a six-game homestand, starting with the Chicago Bulls tonight.
Utah is currently on its longest losing streak of the season at nine games. However, the bulk of that streak came via road games. They have only lost three straight at home. Coming into the matchup with the Bulls, Utah has the worst record in the NBA at 15-53.
Despite sitting at 28-39, Chicago is still in the Eastern Conference postseason picture as the 10-seed. The Bulls lost their last game in Houston but won four straight before that 117-114 loss.
This is the second and final matchup between Utah and Chicago this season. The Jazz beat the Bulls at the United Center for their first win of the season back on November 4.
Utah Jazz Gameday Reading
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Tonight’s game against the Timberwolves is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on SEG+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host of theJazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer forKSLSports.com. FollowChandler on Xfor Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.
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