Early hole too big for Pistons; Jazz prevail 96-86

Dovan Mitchell scored 13 of his 28 points in a decisive first quarter, and Utah Jazz held on for a 96-86 victory over Detroit Pistons on Sunday.

Pistons were coming off an overtime win over Phoenix on Friday night in which y rallied from a 23-point deficit, but y couldn't climb out of ar big hole. Utah scored game's first nine points and never trailed. Jazz went on a 17-0 run later in first, pushing ir lead to 20 before quarter was over.

Jerami Grant scored 28 points for Pistons, who cut deficit to six late in third quarter. y had ball down five late in fourth, but Rudy Gobert blocked a shot by Mason Plumlee, and Mike Conley made two free throws to make it 93-86 with 1:00 remaining.

“ offense was really good in first half," Utah coach Quin Snyder said. "For us to be able to get stops when we weren’t clicking on offense — we won a different way this game.”

Conley finished with 22 points.

Utah improved to 3-2 on its seven-game road trip. Jazz beat Milwaukee on Friday, making a franchise-record 25 3-pointers in process. ir shooting took a turn for worse in Detroit, where y went just 11 of 35 from beyond arc, but Pistons were even worse at 10 of 42.

Detroit trailed by 15 after first quarter, and it ultimately didn't matter that Pistons outscored Jazz rest of way.

“It goes back to our starts," Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. "You spot a team that much — 34 to 19 in first quarter — it’s tough to survive that way.”

Jazz shot 61% from field in that first quarter.

“It sets tone, wher it’s offensive or defensively, when we have a start of game like we had today," Gobert said. "y made a run, but we stayed with it.”

TIP-INS

Jazz: F Juwan Morgan missed game because of health and safety protocols. ... F Joe Ingles' streak of 384 straight games — longest active run in league — was snapped when he missed Friday's game because of a sore right Achilles tendon, but he returned against Detroit. Ingles scored nine points.

Pistons: G Derrick Rose was out with left knee soreness. ... Detroit went 18 of 21 (85.7%) on free throws, setting a franchise record with its fifth straight game shooting at least 85.0%.

ON BOARDS

Gobert had four points and 19 rebounds, and Derrick Favors added six points and 14 rebounds. Jazz outrebounded Detroit 63-39.

Although second-chance points were even at 13 per team, Snyder said his team's rebounding was important.

“I thought in first half especially, it gave us a chance to run," he said.

UP NEXT

Jazz: Visit Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Utah has won four straight against Cleveland.

Pistons: Host Milwaukee on Wednesday night. Detroit lost twice to Bucks earlier this month.

Im credits: AP