Utah Jazz (4) vs New Orleans Pelicans (5)

 

The Tale of the Tape

 

This first round match-up is host to two of the best teams in the entire NSL, the 4^th seed Utah Jazz vs the 5^th seed New Orleans Pelicans.  This match-up is absolutely STAR STUDDED on both sides, Utah enter this match-up behind the dynamic duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden, while New Orleans is led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.  Both teams’ rosters are rounded out well, with defence and plenty of swing players on either side. 

 

 

 

Game 1: Utah win 138 - 123

 

Utah throw the first haymaker of the series on their home court!  This high scoring game was well and truly lead by the star players of the match-up.  Luka Doncic scored a game high 38 points on 13-21 shooting from the floor, Grayson Allen also chipped in 27 points on 5-6 from 3, while the other half of the dynamic back court, Kyrie Irving went for 26 points, although this was not enough to get past the Jazz in game 1.  Joel Embiid was a dominant force on both ends including 37 points and 4 blocks, while his running mate James Harden also double doubles with 31 points and 11 assists.  The Jazz also won the 3pt shooting battle in this game, connecting on 10 of their 20 shots from deep.

Utah lead 1-0

 

Notable Box Scores:

Joel Embiid: 37/14 and 4 blocks

James Harden: 31/6/11

 

Luka Doncic: 38/6/3

Kyrie Irving: 26/4/3

 

Game 2: New Orleans win 137 – 115  

BOOM!! New Orleans throws a massive haymaker in return, bouncing back and making a statement in game 2, winning by 22 points!!  Grayson Allen top scored for the Pelicans in this one, while Kyrie was uber efficient going 9-12 from the floor on the way to 28 points, the main man Luka was quiet from a scoring standpoint but was slinging the rock around on his way to 9 assists.  The Jazz had 3 players score north of 20 points in game 2, but it was not enough to protect home court in the series, Joel Embiid was fantastic managing another double double 22points and 13 rebounds.

Series Tied: 1-1

 

Notable Box Scores:

Grayson Allen: 33pts 12-17 shooting

Kyrie Irving: 28/4/5

 

Joel Embiid: 22/13

Jabari Smith Jr: 24/6/4

 

Game 3: Utah win 127 - 107

What a series this is shaping up to be at this point!  Utah return serve taking game 3 of the series and the first of the home games for New Orleans.  In game 3 we see the insertion of Dejounte Murray into the starting line-up for the Jazz which paid dividends immediately, Dejounte was good for 28 points on an efficient 11-18 from the floor, add in the monster state line from Joel Embiid 31pts, 17rebs, 3stls, 2blks and it’s easy to see how the jazz were successful in game 3 and reclaiming the home court advantage in the series.  The stars were quieter in on the other side of the court, Kyrie top scored for the Pelicans with 22 points.  Gobert had a stellar defensive game with 19 rebounds and 7 blocks in the contest.

Jazz lead 2-1

 

Notable Box Scores:

Joel Embiid: 31/17/4/3/2

Dejounte Murray: 28/4/2

 

Rudy Gobert: 12/19 and 7 blocks

Kyrie Irving: 22 points

 

Game 4: New Orleans win 140 – 128

The stars shone bright in this one for the Pelicans, the high-powered back court of Luka and Kyrie went OFF for a combined 70 points on 46 shots, Grayson Allen continued his hot run of form, contributing 25 points on an efficient 8-16 shooting.  The Jazz had 6 players hit double digit scoring figures in this contest, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the offensive explosion from the Pelicans. 

Series Tied 2-2

 

 

Notable Box Scores:

Luka Doncic: 35/6/6

Kyrie Irving: 35/2/4

 

Joel Embiid: 22/15 and 3 blocks

James Harden: 24/3/7

 

Game 5: New Orleans win 137 - 126

With the series tied 2 games each, we have game 5 back home for Utah! Joel Embiid was a man on a mission in game 5 posting a gaudy stat line of 33/19 and 4 blocks.  Dejounte Murray also tried his best to spur the jazz to a home court win with 22pts and 9ast, however.  Despite leading at half time, the Jazz fell short in game 5, after New Orleans steal the second half 77-55 behind a massive scoring effort from Kyrie who had a game high 36 points. 

The Pelicans now have a chance to close the series on their home court.

Pelicans lead 3-2

 

 

 

Notable Box Scores:

Kyrie Irving: 36/4/3

Luka Doncic: 19/12/5

 

 

Joel Embiid: 33/19 with 4 blocks

Dejounte Murray: 22pts 9asts

 

Game 6: Utah win 133 – 122

You would think if Kyrie and Luka combine for 66 points on 40 shots that the pelicans would win this contest, this wasn’t the case.  Utah scrapes out the game 6 win behind a massive 2^nd half run where they outscored the pelicans 75 – 55.  Joel Embiid and James Harden combined for 49 points on 38 shot attempts, the most surprising stat line was posted by Jalen Smith with a 21/12 double double in just 25 minutes.  The Jazz force a game 7 on their home court!

Series tied: 3-3

 

Notable Box Scores:

Joel Embiid: 27/13

Jalen Smith: 21/12

 

Luka Doncic:33/7/2

Kyrie Irving: 33/2/3

 

Game 7: New Orleans win 140 – 130

This series seemed destined to go the distance from the moment we saw the matchup.  The Pelicans jumped out to a 9-point lead at the end of the first quarter and basically held that lead the whole game!  Luka and Kyrie again were uber efficient on their way to 71 points on 45 shots, when you add in a monster stat line from Rudy Gobert 16/22 with 8 blocks, it’s hard to see how the Jaz were going to overcome this.  The Jazz stars were a little underwhelming for an elimination game, although efficient, they didn’t have the monster stat lines you’d hope for.  Franz Wagner top scored with 28pts on 11-20 shooting.

 

 

Notable Box Scores:

Rudy Gobert: 16/22 with 8 blocks

Kyrie Irving: 35/2/6

Luka Doncic: 36 points

 

Joel Embiid: 22/17

Franz Wagner: 28/5/6

 

Series MVP – Kyrie Irving:

This might be a slightly controversial pick, taking him over Luka but, I do think the efficiency of Kyrie’s scoring can be taken for granted a little, not to mention he had a team high +/- on the series, it’s time to give the man his flowers!

 

Series Conclusion:

This was an insanely hard fought series, arguably the hardest of the first round.  The Pelicans have come out victorious and the Jazz will head into the offseason scratching their heads and looking for answers, it’s safe to say this team will look different next season.

 

Congratulations Leeroy on a fantastic series win and best of luck for round 2.

 

Congratulations Jase on a fantastic series and the recent wedding, enjoy your holiday without the worries of the NSL!