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Utah Jazz instant reactions: The force is strong with Donovan Mitchell in Utah’s fifth straight win

By Tyler Thorpe

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 13: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court during the second half of their 109-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 13, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 13: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court during the second half of their 109-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 13, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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The Jazz rode Donovan Mitchell’s career-high 41 point performance to their fifth straight win on #UtahJazzStarWarsNight and now find themselves above .500.

Well, that was fun.

Utah entered last night’s game riding a four-game winning streak. However, despite their recent success, the Jazz desperately needed a home win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night before starting a brutal December schedule. And that is exactly what they did.

On the second night of a back-to-back, Utah came out firing. The Jazz opened up a quick 14-8 lead behind two thees a piece from both Joe Ingles and Donovan Mitchell. That was nice, but Mitchell was only getting started.

The rookie finished the first quarter with 12 points on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc. Utah’s hot shooting from downtown continued through the first quarter as well going 6-of-11 from three in the opening period.

However, New Orleans was determined to wear down the Jazz with their impressive frontcourt tandem of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. The Pelicans had a 12-6 advantage in paint scoring after the first quarter.

The effects of Utah’s back-to-back seemed to settle in during the second quarter. Utah went 0-of-7 from beyond the arc in the second period and shot 27 percent from the field. Utah’s shooting struggles led to a 17-2 Pelicans run to close the first half. Utah trailed New Orleans 55-43 going into the break.

An impressive nine-point third quarter from Alec Burks helped Utah climb back to within four heading into the final twelve minutes. That is when it got fun. At least for Jazz fans that is…

Anthony Davis went down with an apparent non-contact left groin injury less than a minute into the fourth quarter. He did not return to the game.

After Davis left the game, the final period became the Donovan Mitchell show. Mitchell scored 29 in the second half, including a 17 point fourth quarter that Jazz fans will not soon forget.

Here are just a few impressive stats from Mitchell’s historic performance:

Pretty good company, I’d say.

And my personal favorite:

Mitchell’s fourth-quarter heroics even earned the rookie some “MVP” chants from an electric Jazz crown at the Vivint Smart Home Arena. Led by Mitchell and his contagious smile, the Jazz finished the game on a 22-10 run to defeat the Pelicans by a final score of 114-108.

In case you missed it (or if you are like me and just want to re-watch this all night), here are Mitchell’s highlights from tonight’s game:

This kid is the real deal. Dare I say, “Wookie” of the year?

C’mon, did you really think I was going to go through this entire article without a cheesy Star Wars pun? #UtahJazzStarWarsNight

Really though, for all of you Jazz fans that have been suppressing your excitement about Mitchell, it is time to be excited. This kid is the real deal and he seems to truly love the game. His emotion is exactly what will captivate the hearts of Jazz fans for years to come.

Just look at this smile..

#Mood.

Mitchell wasn’t alone en route to Utah’s 71-point second half explosion, the Jazz also got big contributions from Alec Burks (24 points) and Derrick Favors (18 points and 11 rebounds).

The win propelled the Jazz to their sixth win in their last seven games and now has them back in the seventh seed in the Western Conference.

Whats next?

Things only get tougher for a hot Utah team that is still without their franchise centerpiece in Rudy Gobert. The Jazz have the league’s most difficult December schedule with nine of their next fifteen games coming on the road. Eleven of those games are against teams above .500.

The Jazz will stay in Utah to take on the Washington Wizards on Monday night. It appears that the Wizards will still be without their star PG John Wall. Without Wall, this is another game Utah needs to find a way to win.

In a season that has been full of bad news, Donovan Mitchell provides a glimpse of good things to come for a Utah organization starving for a true offensive star.

Merry early Christmas, Jazz fans!

Next: Utah Jazz report card: Player grades at quarter-season

Follow me on twitter @TylerDThorpe for more Jazz news and analysis.

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