Jazz 99, Rockets 86
Here's a set of numbers for you to consider: 105, 100, 104, 107, 122, 117, 108, 115, 120, 106, 106, 93, 105, 94, 105, 95. It's the point totals the Jazz have allowed in the second game of 16 back-to-back sets this season, averaging out to 100.6 points a game.
That's why the true test for the Jazz after watching their defense carry them to a 99-86 victory Tuesday over Houston, will come Wednesday when they travel to Phoenix. The Jazz very easily could get caught up in the kind of game where they give up 110.
The Suns are riding a five-game winning streak and have closed three games within Dallas in the race for the Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot. They beat the Jazz earlier this season in Phoenix in similar circumstances as Wednesday's game.
The Jazz lost 106-104 at US Airways Center in the second game of a back-to-back set after playing a late-starting game against Toronto for ESPN. They had another 8:30 start Tuesday against the Rockets for ESPN.
Credit the Jazz for beating Houston and taking advantage of Philadelphia's victory Monday in overtime at Portland and Phoenix's victory over Denver. The Jazz gained ground in the Northwest Division race, which they still can very much win.
There's also no doubt that the Jazz will win out at home - - they have Phoenix, New York, Minnesota, Golden State and the L.A. Clippers left - - and take an 18-game winning streak (one shy of the franchise record) at EnergySolutions Arena into the playoffs.
Where the Jazz finish in the standings and who they play in the first round will be determined on the road these last three weeks.
* * *
Had a great exchange with Jerry Sloan after Tuesday's game. Keep in mind the Jazz held Houston to 34.8 percent shooting (season-worst by an opponent), blocked a season-best 12 shots and gave up just 86 points, including 19 points in the fourth quarter.
Me: "Is that the best defensive effort of the season for these guys?"
Sloan: "I'm not totally going to buy all that. I thought it wasn't too bad. But they went in and missed some shots underneath the basket. I don't know if it was all that defense or not."
I tried the question again, this time reciting the above stats.
Sloan: "I buy it a little bit. Of course, that's what those guys want me to do. I'm hard to sell on that. I've seen defense before."
For another perspective, we went to Kyle Korver: "If it wouldn't have been for that two minute stretch in the second quarter, when they hit those threes, it would have been by far our best defensive game of the year. I thought we played really focused, great team defense. I think [Ron] Artest was 5-for-22, so that helps. Good win for us."
* *
The more you watch the Jazz, the more you start to believe Sloan has settled into his likely playoff rotation. As much attention as Andrei Kirilenko gets, Korver is the Jazz's true sixth man right now, coming in for C.J. Miles in the first and third quarters.
Paul Millsap and Brevin Knight both have been making appearances before Kirilenko, who came off the bench for the first time to start the second quarter. Kirilenko played 24 minutes Tuesday and is the Jazz's ninth man right now, if you want to be technical about it.
Sloan has played Korver and Ronnie Brewer together more than we ever saw last season. Korver played in the fourth quarter ahead of Brewer on Tuesday, but you'll see the minutes divided two ways between three players - - Korver, Brewer and Kirilenko.
The Jazz opened the second quarter with Millsap and Carlos Boozer in the frontcourt together. Mehmet Okur came back for Millsap with 4:42 to go in the half. Sloan could go either way - - subbing for Boozer or Millsap - - depending on who has the hotter hand.
Matt Harpring - - who didn't get off the bench for the third time this month - - is the odd man out right now, a situation that can't be easy for an 11-year veteran. Miles also is having trouble getting a look to come back in the second and fourth quarters.
* * *
Deron Williams played only 37 minutes against the Rockets, and they weren't the full workhorse minutes we're used to seeing. That should bode well against Phoenix. Williams also jammed his shoulder in the first quarter running into Yao Ming. You could see trainer Gary Briggs rubbing it during timeouts. Williams underwent treatment after the game but said he was fine.
* * *
As one Jazz player who small remain nameless asked after Tuesday's game: "Are you coming to London and Spain with us?"
Wait a second: Nobody has confirmed anything about the second preseason game everyone expects the Jazz to play in Europe. We know they're headed to London, but I'm not sure whether this constituted inside information or wishful thinking. Stay tuned.
* * *
Having watched him take over games before at both ends, I'm convinced Ron Artest is one of the NBA's top 15 or 20 players at his best.
He can bring up the ball, hit three-pointers and drive to the basket while using his size to guard at least three different positions. Not only does Artest seem to have an appreciation for defense, he's also willing to play all 48 minutes if asked.
Yet the Artest who showed up Tuesday night helped cost Houston the game. He had 13 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists but went 5 of 22. I described it as tunnel vision in the paper, Artest kept launching shots and kept trying to drive, even when he shouldn't.
I'm pretty sure Rick Adelman isn't asking him to be Tracy McGrady, but rather Ron Artest. From the Jazz fans' perspective, the best thing that happened Tuesday was when Artest hit a three-pointer, because it inspired him to miss another four jumpers after that.
* * *
The Jazz were turnover-free in the first quarter and didn't record their second of the game until the 8:01 mark of the third quarter. For the night, the Jazz had eight turnovers, which Houston converted into six points.
* * *
It appeared someone copied and handed out copies of this week's article in Sports Illustrated about how athletes go broke. The story cited the fact that 60 percent of NBA players go broke within five years of retiring.
It's a worthwhile read for those of us not making $10 million a year as well.
--Ross Siler
That's why the true test for the Jazz after watching their defense carry them to a 99-86 victory Tuesday over Houston, will come Wednesday when they travel to Phoenix. The Jazz very easily could get caught up in the kind of game where they give up 110.
The Suns are riding a five-game winning streak and have closed three games within Dallas in the race for the Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot. They beat the Jazz earlier this season in Phoenix in similar circumstances as Wednesday's game.
The Jazz lost 106-104 at US Airways Center in the second game of a back-to-back set after playing a late-starting game against Toronto for ESPN. They had another 8:30 start Tuesday against the Rockets for ESPN.
Credit the Jazz for beating Houston and taking advantage of Philadelphia's victory Monday in overtime at Portland and Phoenix's victory over Denver. The Jazz gained ground in the Northwest Division race, which they still can very much win.
There's also no doubt that the Jazz will win out at home - - they have Phoenix, New York, Minnesota, Golden State and the L.A. Clippers left - - and take an 18-game winning streak (one shy of the franchise record) at EnergySolutions Arena into the playoffs.
Where the Jazz finish in the standings and who they play in the first round will be determined on the road these last three weeks.
* * *
Had a great exchange with Jerry Sloan after Tuesday's game. Keep in mind the Jazz held Houston to 34.8 percent shooting (season-worst by an opponent), blocked a season-best 12 shots and gave up just 86 points, including 19 points in the fourth quarter.
Me: "Is that the best defensive effort of the season for these guys?"
Sloan: "I'm not totally going to buy all that. I thought it wasn't too bad. But they went in and missed some shots underneath the basket. I don't know if it was all that defense or not."
I tried the question again, this time reciting the above stats.
Sloan: "I buy it a little bit. Of course, that's what those guys want me to do. I'm hard to sell on that. I've seen defense before."
For another perspective, we went to Kyle Korver: "If it wouldn't have been for that two minute stretch in the second quarter, when they hit those threes, it would have been by far our best defensive game of the year. I thought we played really focused, great team defense. I think [Ron] Artest was 5-for-22, so that helps. Good win for us."
* *
The more you watch the Jazz, the more you start to believe Sloan has settled into his likely playoff rotation. As much attention as Andrei Kirilenko gets, Korver is the Jazz's true sixth man right now, coming in for C.J. Miles in the first and third quarters.
Paul Millsap and Brevin Knight both have been making appearances before Kirilenko, who came off the bench for the first time to start the second quarter. Kirilenko played 24 minutes Tuesday and is the Jazz's ninth man right now, if you want to be technical about it.
Sloan has played Korver and Ronnie Brewer together more than we ever saw last season. Korver played in the fourth quarter ahead of Brewer on Tuesday, but you'll see the minutes divided two ways between three players - - Korver, Brewer and Kirilenko.
The Jazz opened the second quarter with Millsap and Carlos Boozer in the frontcourt together. Mehmet Okur came back for Millsap with 4:42 to go in the half. Sloan could go either way - - subbing for Boozer or Millsap - - depending on who has the hotter hand.
Matt Harpring - - who didn't get off the bench for the third time this month - - is the odd man out right now, a situation that can't be easy for an 11-year veteran. Miles also is having trouble getting a look to come back in the second and fourth quarters.
* * *
Deron Williams played only 37 minutes against the Rockets, and they weren't the full workhorse minutes we're used to seeing. That should bode well against Phoenix. Williams also jammed his shoulder in the first quarter running into Yao Ming. You could see trainer Gary Briggs rubbing it during timeouts. Williams underwent treatment after the game but said he was fine.
* * *
As one Jazz player who small remain nameless asked after Tuesday's game: "Are you coming to London and Spain with us?"
Wait a second: Nobody has confirmed anything about the second preseason game everyone expects the Jazz to play in Europe. We know they're headed to London, but I'm not sure whether this constituted inside information or wishful thinking. Stay tuned.
* * *
Having watched him take over games before at both ends, I'm convinced Ron Artest is one of the NBA's top 15 or 20 players at his best.
He can bring up the ball, hit three-pointers and drive to the basket while using his size to guard at least three different positions. Not only does Artest seem to have an appreciation for defense, he's also willing to play all 48 minutes if asked.
Yet the Artest who showed up Tuesday night helped cost Houston the game. He had 13 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists but went 5 of 22. I described it as tunnel vision in the paper, Artest kept launching shots and kept trying to drive, even when he shouldn't.
I'm pretty sure Rick Adelman isn't asking him to be Tracy McGrady, but rather Ron Artest. From the Jazz fans' perspective, the best thing that happened Tuesday was when Artest hit a three-pointer, because it inspired him to miss another four jumpers after that.
* * *
The Jazz were turnover-free in the first quarter and didn't record their second of the game until the 8:01 mark of the third quarter. For the night, the Jazz had eight turnovers, which Houston converted into six points.
* * *
It appeared someone copied and handed out copies of this week's article in Sports Illustrated about how athletes go broke. The story cited the fact that 60 percent of NBA players go broke within five years of retiring.
It's a worthwhile read for those of us not making $10 million a year as well.
--Ross Siler
1:35 AM
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1 Comments:
The NBA confirmed the London game next year via Twitter this morning:
"Just announced: Bulls/Jazz to play at The O2 in London as part of NBA Europe Live 2009. Tickets available now: http://tiny.cc/EuropeLive09"
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