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INDIANAPOLIS — Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy had to do something Monday not many coaches have had to do in the past: Tell Jordan Clarkson to shoot.
Clarkson, the unapologetic chucker for most of his NBA career, had been stymied in the first half at Indiana. He was 2-for-9, with six of those shots coming inside the paint. That sounds like a good thing on paper, but, in reality, it was somewhat detrimental.
He was so focused on getting inside that he gave up some clean looks from outside in exchange for contested attempts in the paint. So at halftime, Hardy had some advice for Clarkson: "Hunt threes."
The result? Clarkson went 5-for-5 from 3-point range in the second half as he led Utah to a 123-117 win over the Pacers.
"It was a good reminder, because I felt myself kind of like being in that role where I was kind of like passing on shots, getting into the paint, forcing maybe some in the paint finishes, and turnovers and stuff like that — just trying to get adjusted to this new team, new guys, new units that we are playing with," Clarkson said.
Clarkson has undoubtedly become a more well-rounded player this season and has averaged a career-high 4.2 assists as a cog in Utah's pass-happy offense. But on Monday, he served up a reminder of how he can heat up in a hurry.
Clarkson went 4-for-4 from 3-point range and scored 15 points in the third quarter to help Utah overcome what had been a sluggish first half. He then put the finishing touches on the game with a personal 7-0 run in the final three minutes to keep the charging Pacers at bay.
Indiana had gone on a 12-2 run to cut what had been a 12-point Utah lead down to 2. From there, though, Clarkson took over. He hit a deep 3-pointer, hit a tough midrange jumper off an isolation play, and then hit two free throws down the stretch. He finished the night with 29 points, with 22 of those coming in the second half.
"We just try to make sure in those moments when he has it going that we're executing from a spacing standpoint as a team," Hardy said. "Making sure that we give him enough space to operate when he gets in those grooves, because he's incredibly capable of getting as hot as anybody in the league, and we saw that for a period tonight."
That was apparent on what might have been the biggest possession of the game. With the Jazz nursing a 2-point lead as the clock ticked under a minute to go, Hardy had everyone clear out for Clarkson to go to work. He went one-on-one against Tyrese Haliburton, who he'd been dueling with all night (Haliburton finished with 30 points and 12 assists).
Clarkson hesitated at the 3-point line and then dribbled and drove to the sideline, where he pulled up a tough midrange fadeaway jumper to give Utah a late two-possession lead. The Pacers never got as close to the Jazz again.
"We were going to run to the side and pick and roll on the last shot," Clarkson said. "(Hardy) called everyone off. ... Tough shot. I just knocked it in."
Just like he's done so many other times in his career.
To be sure, there were other good performances from the Jazz, who improved to 29-30 on the season with the victory that pushed them back into position for a play-in spot to the playoffs. Lauri Markkanen had 29 points and 11 rebounds, Kelly Olynyk had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Collin Sexton added 18 points and six assists.
But on Monday, it was Clarkson that finished things off for Utah.
"Jordan was in the zone tonight," Hardy said. "I wish I could take credit for any of that."
He can take a little, though. He did tell him to go hunting.
