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Grizzlies aim to extend winning streak against Jazz<\/p>\n
Memphis Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins will coach in the game if his team has the best record in the Western Conference after early results of the fan vote for the 2023 All-Star Game were released on Thursday. I was asked about the possibility of getting an opportunity.<\/p>\n
That’s a fine honor, isn’t it?<\/p>\n
But Jenkins instead turned his attention to more pressing issues. That meant helping his team keep the momentum going in Sunday night’s visiting game against the Utah Jazz.<\/p>\n
“I want my players to play better basketball every day, and that’s all I’m focused on right now,” Jenkins said. “Everything on the cards is on the players’ cards and everything else. I’m just focused on getting the team better and I have a lot of work to do.<\/p>\n
Still, the Grizzlies are half a game away from first place behind Denver on a five-game winning streak, so they are in hot contention for the top spot in the West.<\/p>\n
Leading the Grizzlies, of course, is Ja Morant, who became an All-Star starter with the third-most votes of any Western Conference guard. ‘s Stephen Curry and Dallas’ Luka Doncic.<\/p>\n
Morant scored 32 points in a recent win in Memphis, beating Orlando 123-115 on Thursday.<\/p>\n
“When he makes winning plays in so many different ways – as a playmaker, as a scorer, as a defender[and]his spirit, his energy alone, it’s just a pleasure to watch him play every night. And When it affects winning, that’s the best version of everything,” Jenkins said.<\/p>\n
The Jazz will bring the 2023 All-Star Weekend Festival to Salt Lake City, culminating in a game on February 19th.<\/p>\n
Despite trading three-time All-Stars for Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in the past offseason, the Jazz are bolstered by a much-improved Lauri Markkanen who continues to play at All-Star level. The Finnish big man scored 49 points in his 131-114 win in Houston on Thursday and dropped him to 28 in his rough 126-118 loss in Chicago on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Markkanen has improved significantly in two seasons since completing his four-year stint in Chicago. He spent the 2021-22 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.<\/p>\n
When asked why the Bulls were unable to extract this level of play from Markkanen in the first four seasons of 2017-21, Bulls coach Billy Donovan said, “Everyone has their own growing season. “I’ve always been a huge Lauri fan during my short time with him.”<\/p>\n
Despite another great night by Markkanen, Jazz suffered another frustrating loss in a game they had a good chance of winning.<\/p>\n
“What our team has learned is that players can hit two or three hard shots in a row, and to play at the level of intensity needed on defense,” Jazz manager Will Hardy said. “You have to keep your discipline in line with your game plan,” he said. Our energy levels dropped.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Jazz are 2-0 against the Grizzlies this season, with a winning streak in late October. The team will play again in Memphis next month.<\/p>\n
–Field level media<\/p>\n
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