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Orem • Jeremy Evans' debut in the NBA Development League couldn't have gone much better.
Evans scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots Friday night, helping the Utah Flash to a 106-88 victory over New Mexico.
"He has the 'wow factor' in some of his plays," said Flash coach Kevin Young, whose team won its eighth straight game.
"The good thing about a guy like him — especially in our situation and even in his role with the Jazz — is he doesn't need the basketball to make plays."
After not seeing any action in the Jazz's last four games, Evans played 35 minutes in his D-League debut.
"The first quarter," Evans said, "I thought I was going to faint. But I was good after that."
Playing in front Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin and teammate Gordon Hayward, Evans' night was highlighted by two spectacular dunks and bookend blocks on New Mexico's first possession and his final defensive stand.
"He's such a joy to be around," Young said. "… He's a real smart kid. He was a joy to have him here tonight."
Said Evans, "It was good to come down and get some time because I haven't played like that in a while. So I think that was good."
The Jazz decided to send Evans to the Flash after Thursday night's 103-101 loss to Denver.
"It's an opportunity for him to play," Corbin said. "He's been working his tail off in practice and, unfortunately, I just haven't had room enough to get in the game here."
Evans is expected to play for the Flash in Saturday night's rematch with New Mexico before returning to the Jazz in time for next week's road trip that starts Monday at New York.
Mostly close calls
The Jazz have lost seven straight at EnergySolutions Arena, heading into Saturday night's game against Sacramento.
Excluding a 121-105 blowout by Oklahoma City, Utah's six defeats during the streak have been by an average of 4.7 points.
"We're making mistakes down the stretch that cost us the game," Corbin said. "… We just have to get better."
One glaring difference
In their win over Utah, the Nuggets finished with a 33-12 advantage in free-throw attempts, including 25-3 in the fourth quarter.
"I thought we were going inside more," Corbin said. "I thought we penetrated to the basket more. … But that's how they called it. We just have to make an adjustment to it."