Utah Jazz Notes

Some other things from Monday’s loss to Houston, a game in which eight Rockets players scored in double figures - - Trevor Ariza actually finished 11 points below his season average - - and Houston went 10 of 19 from three-point range:

Undrafted rookie Wesley Matthews scored his first NBA points on a second-quarter layup on the break. Matthews finished with six points in 16 minutes, seeing extended action with Ronnie Brewer and Ronnie Price both in foul trouble in the third quarter.

It’s worth noting that Matthews needs just 3,648 more points to match his father, Wes, who played nine seasons in the NBA, including on back-to-back Lakers championship teams in the 1980s.

Mehmet Okur had 21 points in 36 minutes in his return from a mildly sprained left ankle and knee. Okur, however, was called for two traveling violations and one offensive foul, all by the same referee, Mark Lindsay.

Okur gave a dismissive wave in Lindsay’s direction after he returned to the defensive end following the offensive foul. Deron Williams also was not pleased by the officiating, believing he was fouled on a number of drives in which no whistle was blown.

Andrei Kirilenko had 18 points and seven rebounds and hit what looked like another game-turning play to end the third quarter when he drilled a jumper off a kickout from Williams. The referees reviewed the play, however, and ruled it a two-point shot.

Williams got kicked in the shin in the first quarter, something to keep an eye on for the second game of a back-to-back set tonight.

Kyrylo Fesenko had little opportunity to build on his 10-point effort against the Clippers. He didn’t get into the game until the final 2:07 of garbage time and dunked for his only two points of the game. Fesenko looked disappointed to be stuck on the bench.

You could claim that the Jazz improved defensively. After giving up 60 points in the first half Friday against the Clippers, the Jazz cut that number down to 54 on Monday. Of course, that preceded a 59-point second half and 34-point fourth quarter.

--Ross Siler