The Toronto Raptors were able to count on a very fit Fred VanVleet, author of a second career triple-double, but they were just short against the Utah Jazz, winner by the score of 131 to 128 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on Wednesday night.
VanVleet likes to play against the Jazz. It was also against this team, in January 2022, that he had scored his first triple-double. This time around, the 28-year-old point guard had 34 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Although he does not maintain the same cruising speed as last season – his best of his career – the native of Illinois continues to produce with consistency. However, he had only crossed the 30-point plateau twice in January.
It wasn’t the points that the Raptors missed in this game, despite the absence of OG Anunoby. The five starters all amassed more than 12, and from the bench, Quebecer Chris Boucher added 16 points in 20 minutes on the floor.
The Jazz stood out in blocks by making 11, against only two for Toronto. Center Walker Kessler has been a wall on defense with seven blocks. On offense, Lauri Markkanen had another strong game with 28 points and 13 rebounds.
The loss is the second in a row for the Raptors (23-29), who were also beaten by the Phoenix Suns on Monday. Nick Nurse’s men’s drop in standings continues, with them now down to 12th in the Eastern Conference. In the West, the Jazz (26-26) hit .500 and sit in ninth place.