Utah Jazz NBA Basketball News and Sports betting analysis
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Jazz-Lakers | 2nd January 2006, 15:56 |
| Jazz 98, Lakers 94 LOS ANGELES (AP) - Surprisingly, the Utah Jazz weren't overjoyed about facing the Los Angeles Lakers without Kobe Bryant in uniform. Their egos say they want to beat teams when they're at full strength. And besides, this time they had to guard everybody closely instead of just one player who monopolizes the ball on a regular basis. Andrei Kirilenko scored 23 points, Keith McLeod scored four of his 15 points in the final 78 seconds and the Jazz took full advantage of Bryant's suspension to grind out a difficult 98-94 victory on Sunday night. ``The Lakers did a pretty good job tonight, even without Kobe,'' Kirilenko said. ``There are lots of examples of teams playing even better without their leader, because they try to pick it up and lots of other guys are shining. ``When he's on the floor, all the attention is on him and we double- and triple-team him. Without him, everybody can score, so you have to spread your attention. I wouldn't say it's harder to play them without Kobe, but it's not easy, either. It's just different.'' Bryant was suspended for two games without pay by the NBA after committing a flagrant foul against Mike Miller during last Wednesday's overtime loss to Memphis. Bryant elbowed Miller in the throat as payback for an earlier foul by Miller, which left Bryant with a gash over his left eye that required three stitches. The Lakers' star, who exacerbated the situation with some less than contrite post-game remarks, will forfeit $289,943 in salary. They were 6-10 last year without Bryant, who missed 14 games with a sprained right ankle, one with a bruised right shin, and another for personal reasons. ``I never like for anybody to miss a game,'' Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. ``I think that if you're going to play, you play the best. I've never been one of those people who hopes a guy doesn't play, because I'd rather compete against him. And if you're not good enough, then you don't belong here, anyway.'' Bryant won't accompany the Lakers to Salt Lake City for the second half of the home-and-home set with the Jazz, but will return to the lineup on Friday night to face Philadelphia and Allen Iverson - who has a slight lead over Bryant in the league scoring race. ``I wouldn't ask him to go on the trip,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said before the game. ``We want him to stay behind, work out and get an opportunity to condition himself. It makes no sense for him to go along on the trip and stay in the hotel while we play.'' Brian Cook connected on his first eight shots and finished with 19 points for the Lakers, who lost their fourth straight game after winning nine of their previous 11. The third-year forward finished 8-for-10 while playing a season-high 40 minutes. The Lakers, also missing Slava Medvedenko, Aaron McKie and Laron Profit because of injuries, used their seventh different starting lineup due to Bryant's absence. ``It was kind of surprising because he didn't even come to practice. He just stayed away and let us do our thing,'' Cook said. ``We spent a lot of time on executing our offense, and we did a pretty good job of that tonight. We just didn't make some key plays down at the end.'' Both teams shot an identical 29-for-58 through three quarters, with Utah lead 76-73. Devin Brown's 3-pointer with 5:16 left in the second quarter capped a 12-4 spurt that gave the Jazz a 42-32 lead, their biggest of the game, and Utah never trailed after that. The Lakers tied the score twice in the fourth quarter - the second time on a layup by Lamar Odom, who had 18 points and 12 rebounds. But McLeod regained the lead for Utah with a layup, Luke Walton turned the ball over to Jarron Collins at the other end, and McLeod's two free throws clinched it with 22 seconds to go. ``We felt like we let one slip away tonight, but it just shows that we all can play at this level,'' Cook said. ``I mean, we love Kobe when he's out there, but we all can play. We don't buy into that stuff about how we don't help Kobe out. We're all competitors and we're all professionals. That's why we're here.'' Utah's victory, coupled with Minnesota's loss at Miami, put the Jazz within one-half game of the Timberwolves for the Northwest Division lead despite their 15-16 record. Notes: The only time Bryant has played an entire 82-game season was 2002-03, when he averaged a career-best 30.0 points. ... Bryant has missed no fewer than 15 shots in 13 games this season. He leads Los Angeles with a 32.7 scoring average - but his 43.7 field goal percentage is the lowest of any of the five Lakers who have taken at least 70 shots. ... Lakers C Chris Mihm, a University of Texas alum, has seven people staying at his home who came out for the Longhorns' national championship showdown with USC in Wednesday's Rose Bowl. ... Only one player has scored more than 24 points for Utah in its last 21 games. Matt Harpring had 30 against Atlanta in a 95-83 win on Dec. 7. Utah Jazz - Los Angeles Lakers Goals Total 1 2 3 OT Shootout Utah Jazz 98 Los Angeles Lakers 94 |
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Timberwolves-Jazz | 6th December 2005, 17:54 |
| Timberwolves 91, Jazz 77 Kevin Garnett followed his season-low scoring total with an average night of 21 points. With plenty of help from the rest of the Minnesota Timberwolves, that was enough. Eddie Griffin had 14 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high eight blocks, and Wally Szczerbiak scored 26 points to lead the Timberwolves past the Utah Jazz 91-77 Monday night. ``We just spaced the floor. We had five guys who could shoot, dribble, pass - do anything when they're asked to do it,'' Szczerbiak said. ``We had Utah's head spinning. They didn't know what to do. They didn't know who to guard.'' After a 5-5 start, Minnesota is looking like a contender - with more than just Garnett. The Wolves swept back-to-back games in Sacramento - despite only 11 points from Garnett - and Utah, and are unbeaten on a four-game road trip that wraps up Wednesday in Portland. Minnesota closed the game with a 12-3 run, when Szczerbiak made two of his three 3-pointers to end any hopes of a Jazz comeback. ``It's going to take more than K.G. to win games,'' Griffin said. ``Before, we'd try to force feed him towards the end of the game. Now Troy (Hudson) and Wally are stepping up.'' Hudson scored nine points and drew an offensive foul as Minnesota scored nine straight points late in the fourth quarter to pull ahead for good. Griffin had three blocks in the final period and topped his previous career high by one. ``He's always active on the defensive end. Tonight he was like a madman,'' Garnett said. Utah scored 48 points from the lane, partly because the Jazz weren't scoring much at all from outside the paint. Utah was just 1-for-10 on 3-pointers. Mehmet Okur led Utah with 14 points and Matt Harpring had 10 rebounds. Jarron Collins scored 10 points and Andrei Kirilenko had 10 points, four blocks and nine rebounds for the Jazz, who were just 1-for-10 from 3-point range and fell to 1-5 on the second of back-to-back games. Utah won at Portland on Sunday. ``They executed and pretty much did what they wanted to do,'' Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. ``That is what a veteran team can do and we got lost too many times.'' After Collins put Utah up 48-46 with a three-point play, Garnett and Szczerbiak combined for a 12-2 run that put the Wolves up 58-50 early in the third quarter. The Jazz made a few pushes early in the fourth, but Minnesota pulled away from the younger Jazz down the stretch. ``I think we lost our concentration a little bit defensively,'' Kirilenko said. After Devin Brown got Utah within 72-69 with a left-handed layup, the Jazz broke down defensively and Szczerbiak was all alone in front of the Utah bench for a 3-pointer that doubled Minnesota's lead. ``Guys are getting me the ball in positions where I can do something with it,'' Szczerbiak said. Garnett found Griffin for a dunk on Minnesota's next possession, then Szczerbiak hit a 3 from the top of the key. Garnett picked up a loose ball and passed it to Szczerbiak on a fast break. Szczerbiak missed on a dunk, but was fouled and made both free throws. Marko Jaric saved another loose ball from going out of bounds and the Wolves got it to Garnett, who missed a layup that could have set up a three-point play. Garnett made both shots from the line, where Minnesota was 17-for-19. Hudson drew an offensive foul when Okur ran over him at the other end, then Szczerbiak added to Minnesota's streak with another 3-pointer. Szczerbiak pumped his fist toward the Wolves' bench as he ran back on defense. Notes: The Jazz converted three chances for three-point plays and scored two more points on free throws for 3-second defensive violations in the first quarter. ... Both teams played on the West Coast the night before and landed in Salt Lake City around the same time early Monday. ... The Jazz were without center Greg Ostertag, who was out with back spasms. Minnesota Timberwolves - Utah Jazz Goals Total 1 2 3 OT Shootout Minnesota Timberwolves 91 Utah Jazz 77 |
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Jazz-Trail Blazers | 5th December 2005, 16:13 |
| Jazz 98, Trail Blazers 93 Andrei Kirilenko still feels slightly out of synch. Kirilenko missed seven games with a sprained right ankle, and has since played off the bench for the Utah Jazz. In his third game back, he had nine points and five rebounds as the Jazz defeated the struggling Portland Trail Blazers 98-93 Sunday night. ``I'm having a tough time right now after missing three weeks. Things are not going well for me,'' he said. ``I still feel a little bit out of rhythm, out of game rhythm, out of shot, but I'm trying to get back.'' While Kirilenko wasn't the top scorer, he was key to stopping a Portland rally late in the second half. The Blazers tied it at 85 on Sebastian Telfair's 3-pointer from the corner with 4:17 left, but Kirilenko answered with his own 3, then made a free-throw for a four-point play. ``It was such a great situation that I couldn't miss that shot,'' he said. ``When I shot it, it was a good arch. And after the shot, Zach Randolph fouled me.'' The Blazers, losers of four straight, trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half - but they took over the lead for a time in the second half. Joel Przybilla's hard-fought jumper from under the basket tied it at 62 before Randolph's layup and free throw gave the Blazers the lead. Portland held on to a narrow margin until Mehmet Okur made two consecutive layups to put the Jazz back ahead 76-75. Mehmet finished with 28 points and eight rebounds. After Kirilenko's four points held off Portland, Matt Harpring's falling-down 3-pointer made it 96-91 with 41 seconds to go and all but sealed it. Harpring had 20 points as the Jazz snapped a three-game losing streak. ``We've had some tough breaks, things haven't always been rosy,'' Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. ``So it was good for the guys to have some fun.'' Portland got 19 points from both Ruben Patterson and Telfair. Portland was without starting forward Darius Miles because of cartilage damage in his right knee. Miles, averaging 18.2 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, was placed on the inactive list. Rookie Martell Webster started on his 19th birthday in Miles' place. Miles had an MRI on Sunday that indicated he may need surgery. He was seeking a second opinion. Coach Nate McMillan said Miles' absence would be difficult for the Blazers to absorb. ``Basically, you're just rotating guys in. You're losing 18 points there,'' McMillan said. ``When key guys go down, it puts a lot of pressure on that team.'' Patterson had not played since cursing at coach Nate McMillan during a game against New York on Nov. 20. He had spent the last seven games on the inactive list after complaining about his minutes. Patterson met with McMillan and team management earlier this week, and later agreed to conditions for his return. McMillan wouldn't elaborate, but did say the agreement with Patterson had to do with ``what is best for this team.'' Patterson was met with a smattering of cheers when he came into Sunday's game. One fan lofted a sign reading, ``I love you Ruben.'' ``Everything's behind me. I'm just here to play,'' Patterson said. ``I'm going to keep my mouth shut.'' Utah took a 34-20 lead on Harpring's 17-foot jumper in the first half and went on to a 55-45 advantage at the half on 62.2 percent (23-27) shooting. It was the most first-half points the Jazz scored this season. Notes: Jazz rookie Robert Whaley didn't make the trip to Portland because of a stomach virus. ... Trail Blazers center Theo Ratliff missed his third game with a left foot injury. ... The Blazers have lost eight of 10. Utah Jazz - Portland Trail Blazers Goals Total 1 2 3 OT Shootout Utah Jazz 98 Portland Trail Blazers 93 |
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Jazz-Trail Blazers | 5th December 2005, 16:12 |
| Jazz 98, Trail Blazers 93 Andrei Kirilenko still feels slightly out of synch. Kirilenko missed seven games with a sprained right ankle, and has since played off the bench for the Utah Jazz. In his third game back, he had nine points and five rebounds as the Jazz defeated the struggling Portland Trail Blazers 98-93 Sunday night. ``I'm having a tough time right now after missing three weeks. Things are not going well for me,'' he said. ``I still feel a little bit out of rhythm, out of game rhythm, out of shot, but I'm trying to get back.'' While Kirilenko wasn't the top scorer, he was key to stopping a Portland rally late in the second half. The Blazers tied it at 85 on Sebastian Telfair's 3-pointer from the corner with 4:17 left, but Kirilenko answered with his own 3, then made a free-throw for a four-point play. ``It was such a great situation that I couldn't miss that shot,'' he said. ``When I shot it, it was a good arch. And after the shot, Zach Randolph fouled me.'' The Blazers, losers of four straight, trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half - but they took over the lead for a time in the second half. Joel Przybilla's hard-fought jumper from under the basket tied it at 62 before Randolph's layup and free throw gave the Blazers the lead. Portland held on to a narrow margin until Mehmet Okur made two consecutive layups to put the Jazz back ahead 76-75. Mehmet finished with 28 points and eight rebounds. After Kirilenko's four points held off Portland, Matt Harpring's falling-down 3-pointer made it 96-91 with 41 seconds to go and all but sealed it. Harpring had 20 points as the Jazz snapped a three-game losing streak. ``We've had some tough breaks, things haven't always been rosy,'' Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. ``So it was good for the guys to have some fun.'' Portland got 19 points from both Ruben Patterson and Telfair. Portland was without starting forward Darius Miles because of cartilage damage in his right knee. Miles, averaging 18.2 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, was placed on the inactive list. Rookie Martell Webster started on his 19th birthday in Miles' place. Miles had an MRI on Sunday that indicated he may need surgery. He was seeking a second opinion. Coach Nate McMillan said Miles' absence would be difficult for the Blazers to absorb. ``Basically, you're just rotating guys in. You're losing 18 points there,'' McMillan said. ``When key guys go down, it puts a lot of pressure on that team.'' Patterson had not played since cursing at coach Nate McMillan during a game against New York on Nov. 20. He had spent the last seven games on the inactive list after complaining about his minutes. Patterson met with McMillan and team management earlier this week, and later agreed to conditions for his return. McMillan wouldn't elaborate, but did say the agreement with Patterson had to do with ``what is best for this team.'' Patterson was met with a smattering of cheers when he came into Sunday's game. One fan lofted a sign reading, ``I love you Ruben.'' ``Everything's behind me. I'm just here to play,'' Patterson said. ``I'm going to keep my mouth shut.'' Utah took a 34-20 lead on Harpring's 17-foot jumper in the first half and went on to a 55-45 advantage at the half on 62.2 percent (23-27) shooting. It was the most first-half points the Jazz scored this season. Notes: Jazz rookie Robert Whaley didn't make the trip to Portland because of a stomach virus. ... Trail Blazers center Theo Ratliff missed his third game with a left foot injury. ... The Blazers have lost eight of 10. Utah Jazz - Portland Trail Blazers Goals Total 1 2 3 OT Shootout Utah Jazz 98 Portland Trail Blazers 93 |
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Jazz-SuperSonics | 24th November 2005, 15:44 |
| Jazz 93, SuperSonics 87 Devin Brown knows eventually Utah will be back at full strength. Until then, the Jazz need a collective effort like Tuesday night. Mehmet Okur had 24 points and nine rebounds, and Utah's bench chipped in with 36 points as the short-handed Jazz held off a furious rally to beat the Seattle SuperSonics 93-87. The Jazz won consecutive games for the first time since starting the season 2-0. Utah also won both ends of a back-to-back for the first time this season after losing their first four. ``When a team hits a fourth quarter run like that ... to weather that storm and get through it, it builds character on this team. Especially with so many young guys,'' Brown said. It didn't come easily for the Jazz, who put together another strong defensive performance after limiting Milwaukee to 80 points on Monday night. Utah held the SuperSonics 12 points below their season average and harassed All-Star guard Ray Allen into a 2-for-10 shooting performance on 3-pointers. Allen missed his final five shot attempts, including four 3-pointers. His 25-footer rimmed off with 14 seconds left and ended Seattle's hopes of rallying from a 13-point deficit with less than 6 minutes left. ``I think we lost tonight by disrespecting our opponents,'' Seattle coach Bob Weiss said. Gordan Giricek added 17 points for the Jazz, who made 15 of 30 shots in the second half, and had assists on 20 of their 32 total field goals. Rashard Lewis led Seattle with 26 points and Allen added 24, and both shot 8-for-20. Seattle had its three-game winning streak snapped and failed in its first chance to climb above .500 this season. Unlike those previous three victories, a third scorer did not develop for Seattle to help carry the offensive load. Mateen Cleaves had nine points off the bench and Nick Collison and Luke Ridnour had eight, but no other Seattle player scored more than five points. ``We got beat on hustle plays, we got beat on second-chance plays. We got beat on small little plays and that's hard for me to swallow,'' Allen said. ``Sometimes you put yourself in some funky situations and sometimes you've got to get out of them. We've got to stop doing that.'' Meanwhile, Utah received significant contributions from its bench while rookie point guard Deron Williams suffered through a miserable shooting performance. Coming off consecutive double-doubles, Williams went 0-for-8, managing just four points. He did have seven assists and six rebounds. Milt Palacio and Brown combined for 26 points off the bench - Palacio scoring 12 in 25 minutes and Brown adding 14 in 30 minutes. Utah's bench outscored Seattle's 36-20. ``Those guys, they've got experience and they're getting an opportunity to play. They play really hard and played really well for us,'' Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. The Jazz led by as many as 15 in the fourth quarter, but Seattle made one final rally. Down 84-71 with 5:10 left, Lewis made a 3-pointer, igniting a 10-2 run by the SuperSonics and pulling them to 86-81 with 2:35 left. Reggie Evans got the rebound and scored after missing two free throws with 1:41 left, but Okur made just his second basket of the quarter, a 3-pointer with 1:26 left to give the Jazz an 89-83 lead. Lewis scored and Allen made two free throws to get Seattle within 89-87, but Utah's Jarron Collins got an offensive rebound and drew a foul on Collison with 19 seconds. He made both free throws to put the Jazz up 91-87, before Allen's final miss. Utah's largest lead was 17, early in the third quarter. ``Home teams are always going to make that run at you,'' Brown said. ``Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen did a great job with that. They put a lot of pressure on us, but we withstood all that and got a great win.'' Utah's Andrei Kirilenko, Matt Harpring and Keith McLeod all were out with injuries. Harpring scored 12 points Monday night against Milwaukee, but has been told he cannot play in back-to-back games because of offseason surgery on his right knee. Notes: Injured Seattle Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin sat courtside. Hamlin was injured in a fight outside a Seattle nightclub early on Oct. 17. ... Seattle G Rick Brunson had a setback in his recovery from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Brunson was pain free, but experienced discomfort in the foot after participating in a full practice on Saturday. He was inactive on Sunday against Sacramento and Tuesday against Utah and Weiss had no timetable for his return. Utah Jazz - Seattle SuperSonics Goals Total 1 2 3 OT Shootout Utah Jazz 93 Seattle SuperSonics 87 |
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