The Utah Jazz delivered a significant upset on Monday as they defeated the Houston Rockets 133-125. The victory was noteworthy because the Jazz headed into the game as an 11.5 point underdog, but came away with an eight point win.
Utah was one of three double digit underdogs who came away with a victory on Monday. The Washington Wizards were a 10 point underdog against the Milwaukee Bucks, but won 129-126. The Dallas Mavericks were an 11 point underdog against the Denver Nuggets, but won 131-121. With the win, the Jazz improved to a record of seven wins and 13 losses, while the Rockets dropped to a record of 13 wins and five losses.
Seven Jazz players reached double digits in scoring. Forward Lauri Markkanen of Vantaa, Finland, who currently has the appropriate nickname of Finnisher, led the way with 29 points. Meanwhile, guard Keynote George of Lewisville, Texas had 28 points, center Jusuf Nurkic of Tuzia, Bosnia and Herzegovina had 18 points, small forward Ace Bailey of Chattanooga, Tennessee had 13 points, center Kyle Filipowski of Middletown, New York, had 12 points, power forward Kevin Love of Santa Monica, California had 11 points, and small forward Svi Mykhailiuk of Cherkasy, Ukraine had 10 points.
Out of the seven Jazz players who reached double digits in scoring, the most interesting story belongs to Love. The five-time NBA All-Star is in his first season with the Jazz after being in a blockbuster trade in the offseason with the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers. At 37 years of age, Love is providing the Jazz with valuable veteran minutes off the bench.
