Despite a late push from the Utah Jazz (4-5), the Orlando Magic (5-5) were able to secure their fifth win of the season.
In the absence of team leader Victor Oladipo (concussion), the young backcourt of Elfrid Payton (16 points, six assists) and Evan Fournier (21 points, five rebounds) stepped up to carry the offensive load. Their effort was matched with a 19-point, 13-rebound performance from small forward Tobias Harris, who led the team with 40 minutes played. Everything seemed to be clicking for Orlando, as the team knocked down over 90 percent of its free throws and shot 37 percent from beyond the arc.
The Jazz were also held back by injury to a young star, as center Rudy Gobert (ankle) sat the contest out. Rookie Trey Lyles took over in the starting lineup, as power forward Derrick Favors slid over to the center slot in Gobert's stead. Favors, who had been experiencing a breakout season up until this point, posted a fairly pedestrian statline of five points, seven rebounds, and one assist in 19 minutes. It was a rough night for the Jazz as a whole, as the team shot just 39.1 percent from the field and 73.9 percent from the line.
The Jazz will hope to have both Gobert and their shooting stroke back on Sunday as they prepare to take on the Hawks in Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Oladipo-less Magic will hope to follow up on the win Saturday, as the play the Wizards in Washington.
