5) December 5th vs. Indiana – Faves Triumphs over PG’s Career High
Utah Jazz 122 – Indiana Pacers 119 OT
This game was the Jazz’s first overtime game of the year and it was without a doubt one of the most entertaining games all season. Despite taking a big lead during the third quarter, the Jazz allowed the Pacers to fight their way back into the game.
In fact, it looked at one point like the Jazz were in deep trouble, as they trailed by six with just over three minutes left and later by three with only 15 seconds remaining. But a huge and-one by Derrick Favors was enough to send this game into overtime.
But unlike a few other games on our list, this overtime wasn’t a runaway win for the Jazz, but rather it maintained the back and forth nature that had been present in the game up to that point. Paul George continued to add to his electrifying career-high performance which saw him put in 48 points on 15 of 27 shooting from the field and 8 of 11 from deep. But it was Derrick Favors who ended up being the man of the hour.
Not only did the Jazz’s big man force overtime, but he added to his scoring total and was a monster on D in the extra period, finishing the game with his own impressive scoring total of 35 points as well as 13 rebounds.
Although the Jazz blew a sizable lead in this game, their ability to weather the storm of Paul George’s career night to come back from behind and win in overtime was probably their best performance of the first half of the season.
Next: No. 4