Lauri Markkanen scores 28 points, Jazz beat Magic 112-108 – Cache Valley Daily
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) goes to the basket as Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., right, looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lauri Markkanen scored 28 points and blocked Franz Wagner’s 3-pointer in the closing moments to power the Utah Jazz past the Orlando Magic, 112-108 on Friday night. Jordan Clarkson, who had 23 points, scored the go-ahead layup, and rookie Walker Kessler made two free throws after rebounding Collin Sexton’s second of two missed free throws with 11.8 seconds to play. I said a little quiet prayer to myself and it happened. I was relieved,” said Kessler, who shoots 55.7 percent from the line, of his late free throws. Clarkson saw Kessler’s big smile after the ball went through the hoop, but he wasn’t surprised. “I was talking to him as he got ready and told him he was going to knock those down. I have confidence in him,” Clarkson said. Markkanen switched onto Wagner beyond the 3-point line and blocked the attempt to tie just as the shot left Wagner’s hand. Wagner, who scored 26