TORONTO (AP) — Lauri Markkanen and Will Kessler each scored 23 points, Collin Sexton had 22 and the Utah Jazz overcame a 12-point deficit in the final five minutes to beat the Toronto Raptors 122-116 on Friday night and snap a three-game losing streak.
Kelly Olynyk scored 15 points and former Raptor Rudy Gay had 12 for the Jazz, who won despite shooting 6 for 24 from 3-point range, matching a season low. Utah also made six 3-pointers in a Feb. 6 loss to Dallas.
Pascal Siakam scored 35 points, topping 30 for the second straight game, but Toronto couldn’t extend its three-game winning streak. The Raptors have not won four straight at any point this season.
Gary Trent Jr, scored 19 points, Fred VanVleet had 17 and Precious Achiuwa 16 in a disappointing loss for the Raptors.
Toronto led 112-100 with 4:53 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz tied it with a 12-0 run capped by Sexton’s 3-point play with 2:34 left.
Markkanen’s free throw with 2:07 to go completed a three-point play and gave the Jazz their first lead since the score was 4-3 in the first quarter.
The Raptors led 96-83 through three quarters but shot 8 for 23 in the fourth. Utah outscored Toronto 39-20 in the final period.
Hours after being named an injury replacement for the All-Star Game, Siakam shot 12 for 21, making a season-high five of his seven attempts from distance and going 6 for 7 at the free-throw line. Siakam scored 37 points in Wednesday’s 112-98 win over the Spurs.
Center Jakob Poeltl came off the bench for Toronto after being acquired from San Antonio ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. Poeltl, who began his career with the Raptors, had six points and four rebounds in 17 minutes.
TIP-INS
Jazz: G Jordan Clarkson (non-COVID illness) was not available. … Finished with 76 points in the paint. … Markkanen and Kessler each had nine rebounds. … Olynyk had eight assists and seven rebounds. … Talen Horton-Tucker had nine points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
Raptors: F O.G. Anunoby (sprained left wrist) missed his sixth straight game. … Scottie Barnes had 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. … Ended a nine-game run against Western Conference opponents.
HELPING HAND
Toronto had 18 assists on 20 made baskets in the first half. They finished with 28.
UP NEXT
Jazz: Visit New York on Saturday.
Raptors: Host Detroit on Sunday.
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