Jazz 119, Warriors 109
The Jazz beat the Warriors so thoroughly Tuesday night that coach Don Nelson was left to say: "They basically own us and this is as close as we've come. This could've been another 20-point game for them if they would've kept the pedal to the metal."
It's maybe a day or two early just because of the trade deadline, but I thought it might be interesting to rank the eight other Western Conference playoff contenders from the best to the potential worst matchup for the Jazz.
1. Golden State: The Jazz scored an average of 123 points in winning the three-game season series, proving they can win just as easily playing the Warriors game as their own.
2. New Orleans: The Jazz have routed the Hornets both times they've played in Utah this season. Deron Williams seems to have Chris Paul's number but we'll know more Feb. 29.
3. Denver: The Nuggets have two dynamic scorers as well as a game-changer in the middle in Marcus Camby. But the Jazz are the more disciplined and playoff tested of the two.
4.Houston: The Jazz probably don't want to tempt fate with another series in Houston. Not after watching Tracy McGrady score 46 to start the season. Not with Yao Ming towering inside.
5. Phoenix: The Jazz thrive against small-ball teams they can overpower inside, starting with Carlos Boozer. All bets are off, though, if Shaquille O'Neal has a resurgence with the Suns.
6. L.A. Lakers: The last thing the Jazz want is to conjure up visions of Kobe Bryant's 56-point game last season. Their last game at Staples Center didn't go so well back in December.
7. Dallas: While Devin Harris' speed was a weapon, Jason Kidd will better harness the talents of Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard. American Airlines Center isn't an easy place to play.
8. San Antonio: No, no, a thousand times no. The Jazz don't want to go to AT&T Center, where they haven't won since 1999. Manu Ginobili also has scorched them this season.
* * *
For the first time in his life, Carlos Boozer can say he's a Hall of Famer. Boozer was inducted in the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday. His parents and high school coach both attended the ceremony in Anchorage; Boozer recorded a message on video.
* * *
A couple of key stretches from Tuesday's game: The Jazz closed the first half on a 10-0 run as Deron Williams hit a three-pointer, Kyle Korver took the second of two charges, Mehmet Okur scored inside, Korver hit a three-pointer and Williams got to the line.
The Jazz also got three stops in that sequence, starting with Korver's charge, Al Harrington's miss inside and a shot-clock violation. Williams also made two nice plays after Golden State had closed to 109-95 in the fourth quarter.
He posted up C.J. Watson and scored as Golden State was called for goaltending. Williams then found Okur for a three-pointer to put the Jazz back up by 19. Williams made nine of his first 10 shots but made just one of his last four.
* * *
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was definitely not happy with Tuesday's victory, no matter that his team scored 77 points in the first half and led by as many as 25. Sloan was upset with the lackluster defense, quick shots and fourth-quarter letdown.
Sloan put in five bench players to finish the last 2:12, but said he considered yanking them after the Warriors closed to eight.
"It's really disheartening for us," Sloan said, "that if we're going to be a competitive team in the playoffs or get to the playoffs that we have such a lackadaisical approach on the defense end."
* * *
As a result of spending 100 nights a year on the road, I don't get to pick what the wife and I watch on TV most nights when I'm home.
You better believe I'm going to fight, though, to watch the NBA on Wednesday night. The Lakers/Suns game (with Shaq's debut) and the Boston/Golden State game figure to be great.
--Ross Siler
It's maybe a day or two early just because of the trade deadline, but I thought it might be interesting to rank the eight other Western Conference playoff contenders from the best to the potential worst matchup for the Jazz.
1. Golden State: The Jazz scored an average of 123 points in winning the three-game season series, proving they can win just as easily playing the Warriors game as their own.
2. New Orleans: The Jazz have routed the Hornets both times they've played in Utah this season. Deron Williams seems to have Chris Paul's number but we'll know more Feb. 29.
3. Denver: The Nuggets have two dynamic scorers as well as a game-changer in the middle in Marcus Camby. But the Jazz are the more disciplined and playoff tested of the two.
4.Houston: The Jazz probably don't want to tempt fate with another series in Houston. Not after watching Tracy McGrady score 46 to start the season. Not with Yao Ming towering inside.
5. Phoenix: The Jazz thrive against small-ball teams they can overpower inside, starting with Carlos Boozer. All bets are off, though, if Shaquille O'Neal has a resurgence with the Suns.
6. L.A. Lakers: The last thing the Jazz want is to conjure up visions of Kobe Bryant's 56-point game last season. Their last game at Staples Center didn't go so well back in December.
7. Dallas: While Devin Harris' speed was a weapon, Jason Kidd will better harness the talents of Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard. American Airlines Center isn't an easy place to play.
8. San Antonio: No, no, a thousand times no. The Jazz don't want to go to AT&T Center, where they haven't won since 1999. Manu Ginobili also has scorched them this season.
* * *
For the first time in his life, Carlos Boozer can say he's a Hall of Famer. Boozer was inducted in the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday. His parents and high school coach both attended the ceremony in Anchorage; Boozer recorded a message on video.
* * *
A couple of key stretches from Tuesday's game: The Jazz closed the first half on a 10-0 run as Deron Williams hit a three-pointer, Kyle Korver took the second of two charges, Mehmet Okur scored inside, Korver hit a three-pointer and Williams got to the line.
The Jazz also got three stops in that sequence, starting with Korver's charge, Al Harrington's miss inside and a shot-clock violation. Williams also made two nice plays after Golden State had closed to 109-95 in the fourth quarter.
He posted up C.J. Watson and scored as Golden State was called for goaltending. Williams then found Okur for a three-pointer to put the Jazz back up by 19. Williams made nine of his first 10 shots but made just one of his last four.
* * *
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was definitely not happy with Tuesday's victory, no matter that his team scored 77 points in the first half and led by as many as 25. Sloan was upset with the lackluster defense, quick shots and fourth-quarter letdown.
Sloan put in five bench players to finish the last 2:12, but said he considered yanking them after the Warriors closed to eight.
"It's really disheartening for us," Sloan said, "that if we're going to be a competitive team in the playoffs or get to the playoffs that we have such a lackadaisical approach on the defense end."
* * *
As a result of spending 100 nights a year on the road, I don't get to pick what the wife and I watch on TV most nights when I'm home.
You better believe I'm going to fight, though, to watch the NBA on Wednesday night. The Lakers/Suns game (with Shaq's debut) and the Boston/Golden State game figure to be great.
--Ross Siler
12:47 AM
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2 Comments:
I'd switch the Lakers and the Mavs in those rankings. The Lakers are a very, very scary team for the Jazz. Phil Jackson and the triangle offense seem to work well against Sloan's schemes. Plus, lately Kobe has been a Jazz-killer, and I'd hate to see what he'd do in the playoffs with something to prove.
No idea why the Mavs are so scary to you. Have you seen the way Utah has played against Dallas over the past 2 seasons? I would rather play Dallas than almost anyone, with the obvious exception of Golden State.
The only teams that Utah struggles with are teams that don't fold up and die when you sock them in the mouth (read: San Antonio & Phil Jackson-coached team).
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