DeRozan’s season-high 38 points helps Spurs top Jazz 127-120
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — DeMar DeRozan scored a season-high 38 points and the San Antonio Spurs held on for a 127-120 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, snapping a three-game losing streak.
DeRozan was 11-for-19 shooting, surpassing 1,000 points for the 10th straight season. He had 21 points in the second half, including a pair of mid-range jumpers from the right baseline in the final 3 minutes to help seal the victory.
Patty Mills had 18 points and Dejounte Murray 16 points for the Spurs.
Donovan Mitchell had 31 points in 33 minutes and San Antonio native Jordan Clarkson added 20 points for the Jazz.
San Antonio had a prolific start despite the absence of LaMarcus Aldridge, who missed his second straight game with a sprained right thumb.
The Spurs led 70-62 at the half, their second-highest total in the first half this season. It was also the second-most points the Jazz have allowed in the first half.
Utah closed the third quarter on a 9-3 run, with Mitchell and Clarkson going a combined 3 for 3 from the field, as well as on the free-throws line, in the outburst.
DeRozan was able to help the Spurs evade another late loss by going 3 for 4 on free throws in the final two minutes.
TIP-INS
Jazz: Utah’s coaching staff and players grew agitated when official Tre Maddox whistled for a timeout as point guard Mike Conley was dribbling up court. Officials conferred and ruled it was an inadvertent whistle after Conley and Utah coach Quinn Snyder denied calling a timeout. … Clarkson had 25 points, four rebounds and three assists in his previous outing in San Antonio while still playing Cleveland. The Cavaliers traded Clarkson to Utah on Dec. 23 for Dante Exum. … Utah’s entire roster was healthy and available.
Spurs: San Antonio has led by 10 points or more in 55 percent of its games. The Spurs are 17-9 in those games. … Jakob Poeltl picked up two fouls in the game’s first 2 1/2 minutes, forcing coach Gregg Popovich to insert seldom-used Chimezie Metu. Poeltl would not pick up another foul while scoring four points in 22 minutes.
OFF THEY GO
The Spurs host Charlotte on Saturday before embarking on their annual Rodeo Road Trip. The nearly month-long excursion is necessitated by the AT&T Center preparing for and hosting the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.
This season’s trip consists of eight games in five states over 20 days, beginning Feb. 3 against the Los Angeles Clippers and ending Feb. 23 at Oklahoma City.
San Antonio’s next home game is Feb. 26 against Dallas.
UP NEXT
Jazz: At Denver on Thursday night.
Spurs: Host Charlotte on Saturday night.
