Aussies in NBA: Joe Ingles explodes for career-high 20 points

What a day for Aussie hoops!

The Utah Jazz starting line-up had a particularly Australian feel to it today against the Memphis Grizzlies. 40% of the Utah Jazz starting line-up were Australians. Joe Ingles joined Dante Exum in Utah's first unit and got things going for the Jazz, as Exum assisted on an Ingles triple to open Utah's scoring.

It was a sign of things to come for Slo-Mo Joe.

Ingles had himself a game and finished with a CAREER-HIGH 20 points, along with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and ZERO turnovers in 33 minutes of action. He shot 4/7 from deep and 7/11 overall.

The Jazz fell behind early, and it was Jinglin' Joe who kept his team in it. When they needed a big bucket to keep in touch, or to start a run, it was Ingles who stepped up.

Ingles' game was terrific. Not only was he taking his shots, and making them, he was finding his teammates and spacing the floor. He was exactly what the Jazz need him to be; an outside threat that demands attention.

After shooting just four shots in the previous three games, to see Ingles launch a triple in the opening minutes was a noticeable shift, and a positive one. Once he drained his first few shots, his confidence grew and he was putting the ball on the floor and driving to the rim.

Dante Exum also played valuable minutes and continued to show his progression. Exum played 30 minutes and finished with 9 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

Unfortunately for the Jazz, Ingles' career night wasn't enough as they went down to Memphis 96-102.