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CLEVELAND — The first time Utah faced the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, Jazz forward Gordon Hayward lifted Utah to victory on a last-second shot.
This time, Hayward would have needed to hit eight last-second shots to give the Jazz the season sweep, as Cleveland powered to a 106-92 win over Utah Wednesday night.
After getting blown out by San Antonio Sunday, Utah fell to 0-2 on this three-game road trip, trailing from the first quarter on to the Cavs. LeBron James chipped in 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for Cleveland in the win.
Here are a few instant observations from the game.
Normally, Utah holds an advantage in points in the paint with the likes of Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Rudy Gobert and Trevor Booker populating the roster. However, the Jazz were outscored 54-40 in the paint with Cleveland forward Kevin Love registering 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Favors scored only 12 points, which is well below his season average of 16 points a game, but it was his lone rebound that was the largest outlier. On the season, Favors is grabbing 8.8 rebounds a game.
Burke scored only two points on the night, making just 1 of 10 shots from the field. Compare that to his Cleveland counterpart Kyrie Irving, who scored 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting. This is the second consecutive game scoring in single digits for Burke, who scored only eight points against the Spurs in a Jazz loss Sunday. Burke and Jazz small forward Joe Ingles combined for five points.
Elijah Millsap scored 12 points, while Elliot Williams finished with 10 points. Williams was 3-for-3 from behind the 3-point arc, and Millsap played more minutes (21) than starter Burke (19). Millsap’s second 10-day contract is up Jan. 25, while Williams’ second contract will be up Jan. 27. After both contracts expire, Utah will be forced to either sign them for the remainder of the season or cut ties.
