Jordan Clarkson's 40-point explosion helps Jazz survive Ben Simmons' career-game for eighth straight win

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No matter the opponent, the Utah Jazz just keep winning. 

By defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 134-123, they've now beaten five top Eastern Conference teams in the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Miami Heat. They have now won eight straight and 19 of their last 20. 

Although the 76ers were playing without Joel Embiid, the Jazz still had to work for this win.

Clarkson sparks Jazz to win

Six different players scored in double figures for the Jazz, led by Jordan Clarkson's 40-piece off the bench. When the 76ers had it going early in the first quarter, he checked-in and knocked down four 3-pointers in seven minutes to help the Jazz stay close. 

He was knocking down 3-pointers all game, tying his career-high of eight for a single game. In fact, eight 3-pointers in a single-game also ties a franchise record. 

With his points tally and shots from beyond the arc, Clarkson became only the fourth player in NBA history to come off the bench and score 40+ points while making 8+ 3-pointers.

On a night when a majority of the mainstays of the Jazz rotation couldn't find their scoring touch, Clarkson provided the punch. He had two steals and an assist but otherwise, he was just getting buckets, making 13 of his 20 shots (65.0%) from the field in 29 minutes.

Despite not having Mike Conley, the Jazz finished with six players in double figures including Clarkson. Donovan Mitchell finished with 24 points and five assists, Bojan Bogdanovic had 11, then the stat-stuffers in Royce O'Neale (11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals) and Rudy Gobert (11 points, 9 rebounds, two assists, two blocks). 

Aussie Joe Ingles finished with 20 points and five assists, the first of which helped him pass Hall of Famer Pete Maravich for seventh on the franchise's all-time assists charts.

Ben Simmons' career game 

The other Australian in this Aussie bowl - Ben Simmons - had one of the best games of his career. 

Going off for a career-high 42 points while also recording 12 assists (tied season-high) and nine rebounds, Simmons became the first 76ers player since Allen Iverson in 2006 to record at least 40 points and 10 assists.

He started the game on fire, scoring 19 in the first quarter and helping the 76ers lead 42-35 after the first 12 minutes including their largest lead of the game 14. 

However, once he and the team lost their early momentum, they couldn't recover. He did receive support from Tobias Harris, who finished with a season-high 36 along with 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

The duo became only the second 76ers combination since the NBA-ABA merger and the first since Moses Malone and Andrew Toney in 1983 to each score at least 36 points.They also became only the fourth duo in the last 50 seasons of the franchise to combine for at least 78 in a game. 

Dwight Howard finished with a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench. 

Philadelphia dominated the paint, outscoring the Jazz 66-48 but were outscored by 30 from beyond the arc as Clarkson alone nailed as many 3-pointers as they did as a team. 

Road ahead

The 76ers, who have now lost three straight, head back home after their four-game road trip to face the Houston Rockets in a couple of days. 

On the other hand, the Jazz, who have the fifth-toughest remaining schedule in the league, will face arguably their biggest test ahead. They now travel to Los Angeles to face the Clippers twice in three days. 

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