Lauri Markkanen is getting ready for the upcoming NBA season.
Lauri Markkanen was the Jazz’s best scorer in the Portland win. AOP / USA TODAY SPORTS
On Saturday, the Utah Jazz performed in front of their own home crowd for the first time this season.
It welcomed the Portland Trail Blazers to Salt Lake City, who immediately shook hands with the hosts’ Finnish ace Lauri Markkanen under the roller.
Markkanen no longer needs additional training for the soon-to-start NBA season. The Finn scored 26 points in just 25 minutes, and the man’s statistics are almost deafening: 75 percent of the shots in the game went in. In addition, he grabbed nine rebounds.
At the same time, the Utah Jazz ran to a big 138–133 victory.
Markkanen showed the home crowd familiar power when he broke to the basket alone and in his familiar jump shots. Jazz’s tactics clearly relied on Susijeng’s brightest star, who did not shy away from responsibility.
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In the first two practice games, the Jazz’s offense has struggled, but now it also worked flawlessly.
The team has two more practice matches ahead of them before the season starts against the Sacramento Kings on the night before Thursday Finnish time.