Rudy Gobert scored 24 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked four shots to lead the Utah Jazz to a 111-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
Bojan Bogdanovic added 23 points, Jordan Clarkson had 20 and Mike Conley 19 for Utah (30-16), which snapped a three-game home losing streak and won for just the second time in eight games overall.
Cade Cunningham scored 25 points to lead Detroit, which lost for the third time in four games. Trey Lyles had 16 points, Rodney McGruder 15 and Saddiq Bey 13.
The Pistons rallied from two separate 10-point deficits and cut Utah’s lead to one at 95-94 on a floater from Josh Jackson midway through the fourth quarter. Gobert scored back-to-back baskets to prevent Detroit from overtaking the Jazz and pushed the lead back to six at 100-94 with 5:30 left.
Utah led by as many 10 points in the first half, building a 54-44 second-quarter lead behind an 8-0 run fueled by Gobert’s back-to-back baskets. Gobert scored 13 points during the second quarter overall and his effort down low helped the Jazz enjoy an 18-4 scoring advantage in the paint during that 12-minute stretch.
The Pistons used a 9-0 run, capped by back-to-back baskets from Bey, to surge ahead 67-64 in the third quarter.
Utah answered with an 11-1 run to go back in front 85-75 later in the quarter. Trent Forrest scored a pair of baskets to punctuate the run and give the Jazz their second double-digit lead of the game.
TIP INS
Pistons: Killian Hayes (right hip contusion) did not play. ... McGruder is averaging 16.3 points per game over his last three contests. He has shot 60% from the field in that stretch.
Jazz: Donovan Mitchell (concussion) was sidelined for a second straight game. ... Forrest scored a season-high eight points on 3-of-4 shooting. ... Ingles’ steal with 1:30 left in the third quarter was the first of the game for Utah.
UP NEXT
Pistons: at Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
Jazz: at Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
