Markkanen, Conley power Jazz to 131-128 win over Raptors

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lauri Markkanen had 28 points and 13 rebounds and Mike Conley added a three-point game and two clutch free throws in the closing minutes to lead the Utah Jazz to a 131-128 win over the Toronto Raptors to perform night.

Toronto’s Fred VanVleet had his second career triple-double with 34 points, a career-best 12 rebounds and 10 assists, but the Jazz overcame that effort by shooting 53% and making key game after key game down the stretch.

Conley, who had 19 points and eight assists, drew Pascal Siakam’s sixth foul on a header foul and completed a three-point play to give the Jazz a 120-113 lead by 2:13. VanVleet kept the Raptors close with his 3-point shooting, but the Raptors couldn’t complete the comeback.

Conley’ hit two free throws by 12.2 seconds to seal the win and the Jazz, who moved 27-26 over .500.

Jordan Clarkson scored seven of his 23 points in the Finals 1:39 and Walker Kessler added 17 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots, a career-high for Utah, who have won five of their last seven games.

Siakam scored 21 points before fouling, Gary Trent Jr. had 20 points and the Raptors stayed in the game with a season-high 25 offensive rebounds.

Kessler had the best six blocked shots of the NBA season in the first quarter, tying the franchise record set by Mark Eaton on February 18, 1989 against San Antonio. Eaton had six blocks in both the second and fourth quarters and 14 total in the game.

VanVleet had his first career triple-double last season (37 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds) against the Jazz on Jan. 7.

The Jazz showed his youth at times — failing to box for rebounds, turning the ball around and slowly getting back on defense, resulting in 28 fast break points for Toronto.

Malik Beasley had four 3s and all 14 of his points in the first half as the Jazz led by as much as 14 points. The Raptors narrowed to 65-60 at the break thanks to 15 points fewer than Utah’s 11 turnovers. Toronto only had two giveaways and 15 offensive rebounds in the same span.

TIP INS

Raptors: Scottie Barnes was announced on Tuesday as part of the Jordan Rising Stars 2023, which will be played on February 17 in Utah. … VanVleet was called up in the third quarter on a rare eight-second halffield injury. … OG Anunoby missed his third straight game with a left wrist sprain.

Jazz: Detroit Lion Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson sat courtside. … Conley was initially signaled for a technical foul that would have been his first in 16 seasons, but it was changed and assessed to Kelly Olynyk. … Kessler will also be in the Rising Stars game.

Raptors: To continue the seven-game journey — the longest since 2007 — in Houston on Friday.

Jazz: host Atlanta on Friday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Matthew Coles, The Associated Press