Spurs struggle again defensively in losing 139-105 to Jazz

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The Spurs' two-game road trip got off to a bad start Tuesday night.

Donovan Mitchell scored 20 points, Rudy Gobert added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and the hot-shooting Jazz trounced the Spurs 139-105 in Salt Lake City in the first of a back-to-back for coach Gregg Popovich's team.

The 34-point loss marked the third time in the last four games the Spurs have lost by 30-plus points.

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In all, Utah (12-13) had seven double-digit scorers, including all five starters.

The Jazz took advantage of the Spurs' porous defense, shooting 60.7 percent from the field (51 of 84) and 60.6 percent from 3-point range (20 of 33). Utah's field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage were season highs for a Spurs opponent.

Jakob Poeltl had a career-high 20 points for the Spurs, who fell to 11-13 overall and 4-9 on the road. DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge each had 16 points.

San Antonio Spurs forward Davis Bertans, left, and Utah Jazz guard Kyle Korver battle for a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) less San Antonio Spurs forward Davis Bertans, left, and Utah Jazz guard Kyle Korver battle for a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick ... more Photo: Rick Bowmer/Associated Press Photo: Rick Bowmer/Associated Press Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close Spurs struggle again defensively in losing 139-105 to Jazz 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

Utah led by 14 points after the first period and by 16 at halftime (63-47) after leading by as many as 24 points in the second quarter. They carried a 26-point lead into the fourth.

In the first half, the Jazz shot 50 percent from the field (20 of 40) and 58.8 percent from 3-point range (58.8).

Utah shot 16 free throws in the first half. The Spurs, meanwhile, attempted just two.

Mitchell led Utah with 15 points in the first half. Gobert added 10.

The Spurs will face the Lakers (14-9) in Los Angeles on Wednesday before returning to San Antonio for a six-game homestand that begins with an-other game against the Lakers on Friday night.