The Utah Jazz (36-18) will go into the All-Star break riding high after securing their fourth-straight win, edging the Miami Heat (35-19) 116-101 at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
With the win, the Jazz improve to 20-5 at home this season, including 9-0 against Eastern Conference teams.
Donovan Mitchell led the charge, scoring a game-high 26 points, while Bojan Bogdanovic added 22 points and seven rebounds and Jordan Clarkson came off the bench with 21 points of his own - his third-straight game with 20+ points.
All-Star big man Rudy Gobert recorded his 42nd double-double of the season, with 16 points and 20 rebounds, adding two blocks and a steal.
“We really wanted to make a statement tonight and make sure we go into the break with a clear mind,” Gobert said post-game.
"They're a very physical team and play well together. We really wanted to come out and play more physical in the second half. Everyone did a great job moving and sharing the ball."
It was a close game through three quarters before Clarkson and Emmanuel Mudiay combined for a 9-0 run early in the fourth to turn a two-point lead into an 11-point advantage, with the Jazz cruising home from there.
Clarkson scored six points in the run, capping things off with his fourth 3-pointer of the game, giving them a 96-85 lead with 8:10 left in the fourth.
😜 @jordanclarksons 😜#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/QL7UzhmUPO
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 13, 2020
"What I really liked [late in the game], to be honest with you, was the defence," Jazz head coach Quin Snyder said post-game.
"When we defend, we can get out in transition. Tonight we showed toughness mentally to defend in the second half when we weren't making shots, and then our offence started to break through."
Mike Conley Jr. missed his second-straight game due to illness, leaving Joe Ingles to facilitate the offence. The Aussie recorded a game-high nine assists to go with four points and two rebounds on a tough shooting night.
He finished 1-of-9 from the field and 0-of-5 from the three-point line, however, the Jazz are now 17-5 without Conley Jr. in the lineup this season.
Jimmy Butler led the heat with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Duncan Robinson caught fire from three, knocking down six 3-pointers for his 18 points.
Former Jazz man Jae Crowder added 15 points off the bench, with Goran Dragic adding 13 and Kendrick Nunn 12.
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