The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz 2017-18 review: Top 10 regular season games

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates the Jazz win at the end of Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 96-91 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. 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 - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates the Jazz win at the end of Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 96-91 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. 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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#2 – The turning point game against Detroit – January 24

The Utah Jazz rediscovered their mojo for the 2017-18 season with a thrilling 98-95 overtime win against the Detroit Pistons.

In retrospect, this was THE game that turned the season around for the Utah Jazz. After falling to 19-28, many had pronounced the season dead. Instead, the Jazz responded with a thrilling overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons that would turn into an 11-game winning streak and later be declared as the turning point game in the season.

For whatever reason, the Jazz clicked in this contest against the Pistons and never looked back.

It was a back-and-forth contest that featured 12 ties and 19 lead changes. However, Detroit got a comfortable nine-point lead with just over three minutes left in the game that appeared as though it may be insurmountable for the Jazz.

But Utah wasn’t about to quit. After rattling off a quick 8-0 run, the Jazz would then eventually tie the game at 89 apiece thanks to a nice inbound play that led to an easy Joe Ingles layup. Ingles would once again play hero in overtime as he knocked down a huge three-pointer, which was followed up by a second three from Donovan Mitchell. The Jazz managed to outscore Detroit 9-6 in the extra period to come out on top 98-95.

Mitchell and Gobert had 15 points apiece while Ingles had 13 to help overcome Andre Drummond‘s monster night of 30 points, 24 rebounds, four assists, three steals and six blocks. However, Rubio was also an unsung hero of the game.

After taking an inadvertent elbow to the face, Rubio had to momentarily leave the game to get stitches. Rather than sit the rest of the game out, as he very well could have, Ricky insisted on coming back into the game and was a key cog in Utah’s comeback down the stretch. This moment seemed to solidify his confidence with this Jazz team as Rubio was electric for the remainder of the season from that point on.

Not only was the comeback and overtime victory incredible in this game, but the fact that it served as the turning point for what many had formerly presumed a lost season makes it one of the most important and memorable games of the year.

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