The Utah Jazz take down the Milwaukee Bucks to win their sixth series

Over the past week or so, there has been a lot of narration around the Utah Jazz that the upcoming series of tough games would prove who it was. The Jazz had another tough test in the Milwaukee Bucks after the victories over the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics.

Joe Ingles, who started in place of the injured Mike Conley, came into this game to jingle some fools. He started hot and scored the first nine points for Utah, taking three shots from outside the arc. He then follows those with a pick-and-roll pocket pass to Rudy Gobert, who unleashed a savage thump in the face of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Joe finishes the first half with 20 points and bothers Jazz fans everywhere that he could get a new career highlight. Jordan Clarkson came off the bench and immediately scored three points from a one-on-one. Once it went down, everyone knew he would go. And go down, he has. Clarkson had the driver work on all cylinders, and he even made some nice passes.

Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis kept the Bucks close with their shots. Antetokounmpo himself was instrumental, though not by his points. He scored only two points in the first half, but still contributed a strong defense, strong setback and some good passes for shooters. Royce O’Neale was the biggest defender on Giannis for much of this game, and especially in the first half he was very effective. Royce gives a lot of size in that game, but he worked and worked on every possession to make life difficult for the MVP from behind. It was clear that Quin Snyder’s game plan was to do everything possible to prevent Giannis from getting to the ring. It’s a very long task, but one that the Jazz were successful in the first half.

Photo by Jeff Swinger / NBAE via Getty Images

Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert owned the paint on both sides of the court. It was the first time we saw the “Wasatch Front” play longer minutes together. Those minutes passed as it tended. The Jazz defense was impenetrable, while the offense was somewhat uncomfortable. When Gobert and Favors see the court separately, they both dominate. Gobert was closing the paint for the Bucks in defense, getting offensive or free-throwing attempts offensive.

The Jazz shared the ball really well tonight. Look at this absolutely ridiculous possession.

The Jazz led 69-52 at halftime.

The early part of the third quarter was when Utah pushed the lead above 20. Gobert was the boss, Donovan Mitchell facilitated and the Jazz had fun.

During the quarter, Milwaukee did what great teams do. They went on a long run. Antetokounmpo can not be held back for long. In this second half, he showed why he won two MVP awards. He relentlessly attacked the basket and displayed his incredible physical gifts. The man can just dive into court from anywhere.

While the Bucks were back in the game, Jordan Clarkson, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert took over for Utah. Clarkson continued to get in the lane and hit drivers, occasionally making nice passes from his drives, like this one to Gobert.

Joe Ingles mixed with everyone who thought he might reach a new career high. We all need to know now, he gets exactly 27 points and stops scoring. My theory is that this is out of respect for Rudy Gobert. The Bucks wrapped up a strong fight and won the third quarter by three points and kept the fourth quarter tied, but the Jazz withstood the storm and maintained the lead in the double figures.

Utah Jazz won 129-115.

Rudy Gobert: 27 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, 9-12 field goals

Donovan Mitchell: 26 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 13-14 free throw

Joe Ingles: 27 points, 5 assists, 7-9 three points

Jordan Clarkson: 25 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds

Tonight is the first time in franchise history that four Utah Jazz players have scored 25 or more points in the same game.

Although there are four legitimate candidates tonight, Rudy Gobert is the easy choice. Anyone who watches this game can see why he deserves to win another defensive player of the year. He scared the Bucks off the hoop all night. He blocked Khris Middleton three tips, he grabbed setbacks, and, oh yes, he also scored 27 points. Rudy owned the paint on either side of the court tonight, and that’s really hard to do when you go against the Greek Freak.

The Jazz continued their dominance tonight, breaking their record to a best start of 21-5. Enjoy this time, Jazz fans. This is perhaps the best the Utah Jazz have ever played.

Photo by Melissa Majchrzak / NBAE via Getty Images