Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy sent a message to his players after an ugly loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
It was clear by the end of the Jazz’s 105-100 win Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans that his demand for players to “play hard and pass” had been received.
Utah has another chance to please its coach against the same team on Monday night when the Jazz host the Pelicans in Salt Lake City.
Hardy was forced to use a new lineup because Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) and Jordan Clarkson (illness) were sidelined.
Even though Walker Kessler was available after missing seven games, he wasn’t a starter. Instead, Hardy went with Omer Yurtseven along with Kris Dunn and Simone Fontecchio. It was the first start for each of the three this season.
The Jazz started well (11-3) and finished strongly, using a late 11-2 run to overcome a double-digit deficit.
Collin Sexton scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter. Rookie point guard Keyonte George also played well with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.
It’s uncertain if Markkanen and Clarkson will be available and what lineup adjustments will be made leading up to Monday’s rematch.
The Pelicans will have a different look as star forward Zion Williamson will likely play after resting on the second night of a back-to-back.
Williamson scored a season-high 32 in the 116-106 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
Brandon Ingram scored 26 against Utah and Jordan Hawkins had 25, but the Pelicans were outscored 37-23 in the fourth quarter Saturday in their second game in 24 hours. They led 53-43 at halftime.
Sexton hit two 3-pointers, George hit one and Fontecchio (10 points) scored as the Jazz took a 103-95 lead. George sealed the win, sinking two free throws with five seconds remaining.
Pelicans coach Willie Green didn’t want to use the travel and quick turnaround as an excuse for the fourth quarter collapse. But he admitted fatigue factored into the outcome.
Green liked that his team scored 22 points off of 24 Jazz turnovers. But he said there were defensive and communication issues.
