SALT LAKE CITY — It was readily apparent, and Zach LaVine vocally observed it.
From the start of the championship round of the NBA HORSE Challenge on Thursday night, it was clear that Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley was going to be raising his game against the Chicago Bulls guard in the final after winning his first two rounds against retired NBA All-Star Chauncey Billups and WNBA All-Star Allie Quigley, respectively.
Sporting a Jazz shirt with the throwback colors of purple, green and gold, Conley got an early H on LaVine with a tough reverse layup and then made a free throw with his eyes closed, a shot LaVine had to answer to avoid going down two letters.