Jazz start out OK again
Just like they did in Game 1, the Jazz played a nice first half in the second game of their series against Houston on Monday night. Two things hurt Utah and prevented it from owning a lead larger than 41-39.
The Jazz allowed too many offensive rebounds and they turned the ball over too much. In the first few minutes, when the Rockets were struggling to find any kind of rhythm, they used baskets after offensive rebounds to cut in Utah leads of 10-2, 12-4 and 17-8.
Late in the half, it was 39-32 and another offensive rebound led to a pair of Juwan Howard free throws, which started a 7-0 mini-run by the Rockets. Those are the kind of plays visiting teams can't afford in a close playoff game.
Andrei Kirilenko started for the Jazz, just 24 hours after an emotional discussin of his limited contribution in Game 1. Late in the first quarter, Kirilenko put the ball on the floor and appeared headed for a dunk -- something to get him going. But a Houston defender -- I didn't see who -- reached in and stripped the ball away.
On the baseline, referee Bob Delaney started to raise his arm to call a foul, but decided against it. Instead of two free throws, Kirilenko was charged with a turnover. When things are going poorly, those are the kind of calls a player needs but doesn't get.
- Steve Luhm
The Jazz allowed too many offensive rebounds and they turned the ball over too much. In the first few minutes, when the Rockets were struggling to find any kind of rhythm, they used baskets after offensive rebounds to cut in Utah leads of 10-2, 12-4 and 17-8.
Late in the half, it was 39-32 and another offensive rebound led to a pair of Juwan Howard free throws, which started a 7-0 mini-run by the Rockets. Those are the kind of plays visiting teams can't afford in a close playoff game.
Andrei Kirilenko started for the Jazz, just 24 hours after an emotional discussin of his limited contribution in Game 1. Late in the first quarter, Kirilenko put the ball on the floor and appeared headed for a dunk -- something to get him going. But a Houston defender -- I didn't see who -- reached in and stripped the ball away.
On the baseline, referee Bob Delaney started to raise his arm to call a foul, but decided against it. Instead of two free throws, Kirilenko was charged with a turnover. When things are going poorly, those are the kind of calls a player needs but doesn't get.
- Steve Luhm
9:09 PM
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