Markkanen is averaging a career-high 24.5 points and 8.4 rebounds in his first season with the Jazz. In his four seasons with the Bulls, he averaged 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds.
The ball idled in mid-air, hovering over midcourt as it tantalized Boston Celtics defenders. In attempting to break the press, the Thunder hung a pass out on the line that could have resulted in a turnover. Darius Bazley bullied his way into position, leapt into the air and wrenched the ball quickly into the front court.
The Thunder was perched gingerly atop a 3-point lead with under 40 seconds to play. It would have been understandable for Bazley to try to just find an empty space on the court and dribble out some more clock. Instead of timidness he chose temerity, bursting into the lane as Celtics defenders tried to catch up on the way to a ferocious one-handed dunk.
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