Utah Jazz react: Aussies lead the charge in win over Grizzlies

Dante Exum and Joe Ingles paced the Utah Jazz to a big win over the scrappy (but tanking) Memphis Grizzlies.

Sometimes, even when your opponent is actively trying to lose, a win can be well-earned. Such was the case on Friday night when the Utah Jazz seemingly needed multiple runs to put away the actively tanking Memphis Grizzlies.

Regardless of their opponent’s motivations, though, a pair of Aussies clearly came to play for the Jazz. Namely, former No. 5 overall pick Dante Exum and Utah’s jack of all trades, “Slow-Mo'” Joe Ingles.

For Exum in particular, the game felt like a coming-out party. After a career spanning nearly four years, 155 games and multiple major injuries, the 22-year-old was largely the best player on the court for the Jazz. Perhaps for the first time in his career.

In 27 minutes off the bench, Exum scored 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting and 3-of-4 from 3-point range. The Jazz outscored the Grizzlies by 14 points when he was on the floor. Given the fact that Exum has yet to play his 10th game this season, his positive impact of late has been no small feat.

Meanwhile, Ingles continued to do it all for a Jazz squad that has depended on him to wear a multitude of hats all season long. He’s been a sharpshooter, the quarterback of the offense, a defensive stopper and floor leader for the team throughout the year. It was more of the same versus Memphis.

Ingles scored 17 points, dished out a game-high 10 assists and grabbed five boards. He even managed to throw down a hammer dunk, something Exum said he had never seen before after the game —

Again, though, despite the Aussie effect, the Grizzlies gave the Jazz problems throughout the game. The lead was just four points for the Jazz before they closed the first quarter on a 17-4 run. And with just 9:43 left in the contest, it was a two-point game at 85-83.

It took a 22-14 close and a big, fat punt from the Grizzlies for Utah to secure the win. Through three quarters, Marc Gasol had notched 28 points on 11-of-12 shooting with six 3-pointers to his credit. It was arguably the most dominant effort from an opposing big the Jazz have faced all season.

Nevertheless, Gasol sat out during the fourth quarter; Memphis’ will to tank is strong. Had that not been the case, the Jazz likely would have found themselves in a dogfight. After all, no win comes easy in the Western Conference playoff race.

Next: Playoff projections still smile on the Utah Jazz

That will certainly be the case on Sunday for Utah’s next game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.