Donovan Mitchell helps Jazz hold off Raptors by 115-112

Los Angeles, March 20 (09:48 AM PKT) (AFP/APP): Utah guard Donovan Mitchell scored 12 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter on Friday as the NBA-leading Jazz eked out a 115-112 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

The Jazz, stung by a 131-122 loss to the Washington Wizards on Thursday, bounced back by the skin of their teeth as Raptors center Pascal Siakam’s potential game-tying shot dipped in then out at the buzzer.

It wasn’t the kind of dominance the Jazz displayed in winning 11 straight games in January and another nine in a row in February. But they gradually heated up offensively, out-rebounded the Raptors 48-31 and made 35 of 41 attempts from the free-throw line to prevail. In a fourth quarter that featured eight lead changes, Donovan made the difference, scoring eight straight points in the final minute and a half.

“Finding guys and also seeing where I can fit in and do my thing,” Donovan said of finding the right balance between facilitating his teammates and taking over. “I forced a shot early in the game, but in the second half I was pleased with all the decisions I made.”

Jazz coach Quin Snyder thought Donovan, who added five rebounds and six assists, got it right as the Jazz became the first team this season to reach 30 victories.