Jazz Avoid Blowing Lead, Game… Barely

Yet again, a team that that Jazz should’ve rolled over (no offense to the Bobcats, especially not after the awesome win last night) hangs around before the Jazz finally wake up late. Actually, they were up by 20 to start the 4th. And then they managed to implode as the ‘Cats cut the lead to 3 (101-9 before the Jazz finally got going again to win 128-106. Not to put the blame or anything, but the Jazzsters final run started soon after Jermareo Davidson entered the game in the 4th quarter… after he fouled AK for an “and-1″ attempt. That foul led to a missed FT, and offensive board and the first of 3 threes for Korver.

The ‘Cats were led by the duo of Gerald Wallace & Jason Richardson (21 & 26 points respectively), while Raymond Felton (the 3rd PG taken in the Paul-Deron-Felton trio) had 13 points and 6 assists. Unfortunately for the ‘Cats, they forgot to watch game tape of previous Jazz games. How else can you explain bigs Emeka Okafor & Nazr Mohammed combining to take 4 shots (2 each) & 6 FTs (all by Nazr)… making just 2 of them… as they combined for 6 points? This against the sad “defense” of Booze & Okur. Okur had 5 fouls in the game, by the way… 3 of them early in the 4th. Ryan Hollins and Davidson did combine for 8 points off the bench… giving their “bigs” a total of 14 points. I don’t care how good your guards are… how do you not attack the Jazz bigs inside? Especially given Booze’s “I don’t do defense” approach? Earl Boykins added 14 points off of the bench.

Booze led the Jazz with 28 & 13. Okur added 20 & 10… 17 of those points coming in the first half. Deron had 14 & 15. AK & Brewer each had 16… Brewer also added in 4 steals. No Knees had 18, and Korver had 10… 9 of them coming on 3 threes in the 4th that put the nail in the ‘Cats coffin.

The Jazz shot 6-27 from the field in the 2nd quarter, but still managed to expand their lead heading into the half. The 17-18 go-around at the line probably helped them there. Of course, the ‘Cats going 16-16 from the line in the 4th helped them get right back into it. Of all the attempts on their own misses… the Jazz grabbed 20 offensive boards while allowing the ‘Cats only 21 defensive boards. That helped lead to the 49-28 advantage on the boards for the Jazz. CJ only played a minute.

Linkage
Basketball John recap
Frank Layden recap
Siler recap
Bobcats Bonfire
Carnival of the NBA, #55
Unsung Player Day is upcoming

About Unsung Player Day… um… CJ Miles anyone? Actually, nevermind… that’s my article for the 5th.

Jazz are off tonight, and host the Clippers tomorrow night. Another “too close for comfort” game?