Well, I didn't do too bad predicting the first round playoff results. I correctly chose the Pistons, Cavaliers, Bulls, Suns, Spurs, and Jazz to advance to the second round. The Warriors and Nets advancing was a surprise to me.
Vince is going home to Toronto. Darko and Hill head to Detroit. Nelly and G-State face the house that Nelly built. Chicago and Miami have a rematch series as well as Cleveland and Washington. Pheonix and LA are lined up for another showdown.
The Utah Jazz lead the league in comeback wins in which they were down by 10 points or more. They have done it 16 times this season and almost added to that number on Sunday.
In what was a potential Western Conference first round playoff preview, the Utah Jazz overcame a late nine-point deficit to defeat the Houston Rockets 86-83.
Mehmet Okur scored 20 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double.
Carlos Boozer scored 13 points with 10 rebounds.
Deron Williams also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 assists.
Yao Ming led the Rockets with 35 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks.
Tracy McGrady added 20 points.
Both teams played hard-nosed defense and held each other to 38% from the field.
The Jazz are currently fourth in the west (four games behind the Spurs) while the Rockets are 5th in the West (five and a half games ahead of the Lakers), which means with only nine games remaining in the season there is a very high probability that the Jazz and the Rockets will meet each other in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The Jazz and Rockets will meet in the last game of the regular season on Wednesday, April 18th, in a game that could determine who owns the home court in the playoffs.
Although the Jazz are not expected to go far in the playoffs, leading the league in comeback wins is a nice attribute to bring to the table in the post season. Anything can happen, and I'll be watching!
Attention 06-07 NBA Contenders: The odds are against you.
Not everyone can win a championship. That is what makes one so special. A few of the most prominent stars currently in the league without a ring include Allen Iverson, Amare Stoudemire, Baron Davis, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Chris Webber, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, Elton Brand, Gilbert Arenas, Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Jermaine O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Lebron James, Michael Redd, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Reshard Lewis, Shawn Marion, Steve Nash, Tracy Mcgrady, Vince Carter, and Yao Ming.
Let's be realistic. The Dallas Mavericks are the current favorites to with the NBA Championship this year. With that said, sometimes I feel that people don’t realize just how special and rare a championship really is. If the Dallas Mavericks are holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy high above their heads at the conclusion of the playoffs, they will be true champions because it is not going to be a cakewalk.
Below is my breakdown of the odds of each team winning the 06-07 NBA Championship:
The main reason I wrote this blog and broke down the odds like this is to show that even though there are only a handful of teams who are contenders; the odds are still against each and every one of them. That makes winning the championship very special. Someone is going to walk away this summer without a ring; whether it is Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Lebron James, or even all three of them. If you do your very best and continue to set a good example on and off the court, then you are all winners in my book.
Mehmet Okur was named Western Conference player of the week early Monday.
He then took care of business Monday night, scoring 12 of Utah's final 14 points in a 100-95 victory over the Bulls. He did it all with 5 fouls.
It was Utah's third straight win without Boozer (San Antonio, Phoenix, and Chicago). Okur has led the Jazz in scoring each game.
Okur has been coming up huge for the Jazz in crunch time all season. He's not afraid to take the huge go-ahead shot from down town, and he also has been hitting "dagger" shots to put games out of reach and secure wins.
Mehmet Okur scored 19 of his 29 points in the second half to lift the Utah Jazz over Phoenix Suns 108-105.
The win was Utah's second in three games since Carlos Boozer went down with a fractured in his leg, and their third win against the Suns this season.
Mehmet Okur finished with 29 points and 12 rebounds.
Deron Williams scored 28 points and recorded 10 assits.
Andre Kirilenko finished with 10 points and swatted three blocks.
Shawn Marion fouled out of the game. It was only the fourth time in his career that he fouled out o####ame, and the first time since 2003.
With 1.1 seconds left in the game, Okur split two free throws to take a three point lead (108-105). After missing the second free throw, the Suns called an immediate timeout.
While listening to the game on the radio, Utah Jazz radio broadcaster, Hot Rod Hundley, was going bananas. Apparently the referees granted the Suns the timeout when they did not have possession of the basketball. Hundley is known to be a fair broadcaster, unlike typical homers, so I will take his word for it.
He was also ranting about all the fouls late in the game against the Jazz. During the timeout he said, "Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they call three more fouls before they come out from this time out." I was laughing my #### off, because Jazz fans know that ranting and complaining about the referees is very out of character for Hundley.
Andrei Kirilenko came up with a huge defensive play, deflecting Leandro Barbosa's inbound attempt out of bounds. The deflection left only 0.3 seconds on the game clock to preserve the victory.
Jerry Sloan raised his career record to 42-41 against the Suns. The only two teams in the NBA that Sloan has a losing record to are the Spurs and Pacers. Not bad huh?
The Utah Jazz (31-17) head home for a day rest before playing the Chicago Bulls (28-20) on Monday.
12:00 - - Start Period SA 0-0 11:43 SA T Duncan 2 Point Field Goal SA 2-0 11:22 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Miss SA 2-0 11:01 SA B Barry 3 Point Field Goal SA 5-0 10:40 Pho R Bell 2 Point Miss SA 5-0 10:31 SA B Barry 3 Point Miss SA 5-0 10:22 Pho S Marion 3 Point Miss SA 5-0 9:57 SA T Duncan 2 Point Field Goal SA 7-0 9:45 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Miss SA 7-0 9:20 SA F Oberto 2 Point Miss SA 7-0 8:33 Pho R Bell 3 Point Miss SA 7-0 8:09 SA T Parker 2 Point Field Goal SA 9-0 7:55 Pho S Nash 2 Point Field Goal SA 9-2 7:35 SA T Parker 2 Point Miss SA 9-2 7:24 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Miss SA 9-2 7:10 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss SA 9-2 6:56 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Miss SA 9-2 6:32 SA B Barry 3 Point Miss SA 9-2 6:29 SA B Barry 2 Point Field Goal SA 11-2 6:14 Pho S Nash 2 Point Miss SA 11-2 6:13 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Miss SA 11-2 6:11 SA T Duncan Foul SA 11-2 6:11 Pho A Stoudemire Missed Free Throw SA 11-2 6:11 Pho A Stoudemire 1 Point Free Throw SA 11-3 5:48 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss SA 11-3 5:42 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Miss SA 11-3 5:23 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss SA 11-3 5:02 SA M Ginobili 3 Point Field Goal SA 14-3 4:44 SA M Ginobili Foul SA 14-3 4:44 Pho - Time Out SA 14-3 4:44 Pho S Nash 1 Point Free Throw SA 14-4 4:44 Pho S Nash 1 Point Free Throw SA 14-5 4:34 Pho A Stoudemire Foul SA 14-5 4:34 SA T Duncan 1 Point Free Throw SA 15-5 4:34 SA T Duncan 1 Point Free Throw SA 16-5 4:21 Pho S Marion 2 Point Field Goal SA 16-7 4:00 SA T Duncan 2 Point Field Goal SA 18-7 3:43 Pho S Nash 2 Point Miss SA 18-7 3:24 SA T Parker Foul SA 18-7 3:15 Pho S Marion 3 Point Field Goal SA 18-10 3:09 SA - Time Out SA 18-10 3:01 SA M Ginobili 3 Point Miss SA 18-10 2:50 SA B Udrih 3 Point Miss SA 18-10 2:40 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Miss SA 18-10 2:38 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Field Goal SA 18-12 2:19 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss SA 18-12 2:02 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Field Goal SA 20-12 1:56 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Field Goal SA 20-14 1:29 Pho S Marion Foul SA 20-14 1:22 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss SA 20-14 1:00 Pho S Marion 2 Point Miss SA 20-14 0:43 SA T Duncan 2 Point Field Goal SA 22-14 0:30 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Field Goal SA 22-16 0:07 SA B Udrih 2 Point Miss SA 22-16 0:01 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Miss SA 22-16 0:00 - - Period Over SA 22-16
12:00 - - Start Period SA 22-16 11:49 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Field Goal SA 22-18 11:28 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Field Goal SA 24-18 11:11 Pho J Jones 2 Point Field Goal SA 24-20 10:51 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Field Goal SA 24-22 10:44 SA - Time Out SA 24-22 10:21 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Field Goal SA 24-24 10:00 SA M Finley 3 Point Field Goal SA 27-24 9:48 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Field Goal SA 27-26 9:29 SA F Elson 2 Point Field Goal SA 29-26 9:09 SA F Elson Foul SA 29-26 9:09 Pho L Barbosa 1 Point Free Throw SA 29-27 9:09 Pho L Barbosa 1 Point Free Throw SA 29-28 8:59 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Miss SA 29-28 8:51 Pho B Diaw Foul SA 29-28 8:33 Pho J Jones 3 Point Field Goal Pho 31-29 8:15 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Miss Pho 31-29 8:10 SA B Barry 3 Point Field Goal SA 32-31 8:03 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Field Goal Pho 33-32 7:46 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Field Goal SA 34-33 7:40 SA F Elson Foul SA 34-33 7:40 Pho A Stoudemire 1 Point Free Throw SA 34-34 7:40 Pho A Stoudemire 1 Point Free Throw Pho 35-34 7:28 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Field Goal SA 36-35 7:18 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Miss SA 36-35 7:12 Pho L Barbosa 3 Point Miss SA 36-35 7:03 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Field Goal SA 38-35 6:53 SA T Parker Foul SA 38-35 6:47 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Field Goal SA 38-37 6:23 Pho J Jones Foul SA 38-37 6:23 SA B Barry 1 Point Free Throw SA 39-37 6:23 SA B Barry 1 Point Free Throw SA 40-37 5:52 SA M Finley 3 Point Miss SA 40-37 5:50 Pho A Stoudemire Foul SA 40-37 5:50 - - Time Out SA 40-37 5:44 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss SA 40-37 5:29 Pho S Nash 2 Point Field Goal SA 40-39 5:21 SA T Parker 2 Point Field Goal SA 42-39 5:09 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Miss SA 42-39 5:01 SA T Parker 2 Point Field Goal SA 44-39 4:48 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Field Goal SA 44-41 4:31 SA T Parker 2 Point Field Goal SA 46-41 4:19 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Miss SA 46-41 4:17 SA T Duncan Foul SA 46-41 4:17 Pho A Stoudemire 1 Point Free Throw SA 46-42 4:17 Pho A Stoudemire 1 Point Free Throw SA 46-43 4:00 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss SA 46-43 3:40 Pho - Time Out SA 46-43 3:39 Pho S Marion 2 Point Miss SA 46-43 3:31 SA T Parker 2 Point Field Goal SA 48-43 3:01 SA M Ginobili 3 Point Field Goal SA 51-43 2:41 SA T Duncan Foul SA 51-43 2:41 Pho B Diaw 1 Point Free Throw SA 51-44 2:41 Pho B Diaw 1 Point Free Throw SA 51-45 2:24 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Field Goal SA 53-45 1:54 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Miss SA 53-45 1:38 Pho S Nash 2 Point Field Goal SA 53-47 1:20 SA T Parker 2 Point Miss SA 53-47 1:11 Pho S Nash 2 Point Field Goal SA 53-49 0:43 SA B Bowen 3 Point Miss SA 53-49 0:36 Pho S Marion 2 Point Miss SA 53-49 0:10 SA B Bowen 3 Point Miss SA 53-49 0:03 SA F Oberto Foul SA 53-49 0:03 Pho B Diaw Missed Free Throw SA 53-49 0:03 Pho B Diaw 1 Point Free Throw SA 53-50 0:03 SA - 20 Second Time Out SA 53-50 0:01 Pho S Nash Foul SA 53-50 0:00 SA T Parker 2 Point Miss SA 53-50 0:00 - - Period Over SA 53-50 Time Team Player Play Score
12:00 - - Start Period SA 53-50 11:35 Pho S Nash 2 Point Miss SA 53-50 11:18 SA T Parker 2 Point Field Goal SA 55-50 11:04 Pho S Marion 3 Point Field Goal SA 55-53 10:47 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss SA 55-53 10:42 SA B Bowen 3 Point Miss SA 55-53 10:31 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Miss SA 55-53 10:11 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss SA 55-53 9:49 SA T Parker 3 Point Miss SA 55-53 9:44 SA T Parker Foul SA 55-53 9:44 Pho L Barbosa 1 Point Free Throw SA 55-54 9:44 Pho L Barbosa Missed Free Throw SA 55-54 9:22 SA F Oberto 2 Point Miss SA 55-54 9:21 SA F Oberto 2 Point Miss SA 55-54 9:03 Pho B Diaw 3 Point Field Goal Pho 57-55 8:50 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Field Goal Pho 59-55 8:31 Pho S Marion Foul Pho 59-55 8:31 SA T Duncan Missed Free Throw Pho 59-55 8:31 SA T Duncan 1 Point Free Throw Pho 59-56 8:07 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Miss Pho 59-56 8:06 Pho S Marion 2 Point Miss Pho 59-56 7:49 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Field Goal Pho 61-56 7:47 SA - Time Out Pho 61-56 7:36 SA B Barry 3 Point Miss Pho 61-56 7:20 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Field Goal Pho 63-56 7:02 SA T Parker 2 Point Miss Pho 63-56 6:56 Pho S Marion 2 Point Field Goal Pho 65-56 6:42 SA M Ginobili 3 Point Miss Pho 65-56 6:40 Pho S Nash Foul Pho 65-56 6:40 SA T Duncan 1 Point Free Throw Pho 65-57 6:40 SA T Duncan 1 Point Free Throw Pho 65-58 6:29 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Miss Pho 65-58 6:13 Pho S Marion Foul Pho 65-58 6:13 SA T Parker 1 Point Free Throw Pho 65-59 6:13 SA T Parker 1 Point Free Throw Pho 65-60 5:57 Pho S Nash 2 Point Miss Pho 65-60 5:50 SA T Parker 2 Point Field Goal Pho 65-62 5:39 Pho S Marion 3 Point Miss Pho 65-62 5:27 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Field Goal Pho 65-64 5:25 Pho - Time Out Pho 65-64 5:15 Pho J Jones 3 Point Miss Pho 65-64 4:53 SA M Ginobili 3 Point Miss Pho 65-64 4:40 Pho M Banks 2 Point Miss Pho 65-64 4:30 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Miss Pho 65-64 4:09 Pho J Jones 2 Point Field Goal Pho 67-64 4:09 SA M Finley Foul Pho 67-64 4:09 Pho J Jones 1 Point Free Throw Pho 68-64 3:55 SA M Finley 3 Point Miss Pho 68-64 3:43 SA B Udrih 2 Point Miss Pho 68-64 3:28 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Field Goal Pho 70-64 2:56 Pho J Jones 3 Point Miss Pho 70-64 2:54 Pho S Marion 2 Point Miss Pho 70-64 2:46 SA B Udrih Foul Pho 70-64 2:46 Pho M Banks 1 Point Free Throw Pho 71-64 2:46 Pho M Banks 1 Point Free Throw Pho 72-64 2:30 SA T Duncan 2 Point Field Goal Pho 72-66 2:16 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Miss Pho 72-66 2:01 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Field Goal Pho 72-68 1:33 Pho M Banks 3 Point Miss Pho 72-68 1:18 Pho M Banks Foul Pho 72-68 1:18 SA T Duncan 1 Point Free Throw Pho 72-69 1:18 SA T Duncan 1 Point Free Throw Pho 72-70 0:57 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Miss Pho 72-70 0:35 SA J Vaughn 2 Point Miss Pho 72-70 0:26 Pho S Marion 2 Point Miss Pho 72-70 0:25 Pho S Marion 2 Point Miss Pho 72-70 0:01 Pho M Banks 2 Point Miss Pho 72-70 0:00 - - Period Over Pho 72-70
12:00 - - Start Period Pho 72-70 11:42 SA F Elson 2 Point Miss Pho 72-70 11:41 SA R Horry 2 Point Miss Pho 72-70 11:18 Pho M Banks 2 Point Field Goal Pho 74-70 11:18 SA F Elson Foul Pho 74-70 11:18 Pho M Banks 1 Point Free Throw Pho 75-70 11:04 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Field Goal Pho 75-72 10:43 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Miss Pho 75-72 10:09 SA M Ginobili 2 Point Miss Pho 75-72 9:55 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Field Goal Pho 77-72 9:34 SA T Parker 2 Point Miss Pho 77-72 9:07 Pho A Stoudemire Foul Pho 77-72 9:07 Pho - Time Out Pho 77-72 9:07 SA M Ginobili 1 Point Free Throw Pho 77-73 9:07 SA M Ginobili 1 Point Free Throw Pho 77-74 9:07 SA M Ginobili 1 Point Free Throw Pho 77-75 8:56 SA T Parker Foul Pho 77-75 8:48 Pho J Jones 2 Point Miss Pho 77-75 8:30 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss Pho 77-75 8:09 SA M Ginobili 3 Point Field Goal SA 78-77 7:48 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Field Goal Pho 79-78 7:48 SA T Duncan Foul Pho 79-78 7:48 Pho A Stoudemire 1 Point Free Throw Pho 80-78 7:33 SA T Duncan 2 Point Miss Pho 80-78 7:22 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Miss Pho 80-78 7:18 Pho L Barbosa 3 Point Field Goal Pho 83-78 7:17 SA - Time Out Pho 83-78 6:55 SA T Parker 2 Point Field Goal Pho 83-80 6:42 Pho S Marion 2 Point Miss Pho 83-80 6:32 Pho L Barbosa Foul Pho 83-80 6:32 SA M Ginobili 1 Point Free Throw Pho 83-81 6:32 SA M Ginobili 1 Point Free Throw Pho 83-82 6:12 Pho S Marion 2 Point Miss Pho 83-82 6:10 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Field Goal Pho 85-82 5:42 Pho L Barbosa 3 Point Miss Pho 85-82 5:25 SA T Parker 2 Point Field Goal Pho 85-84 5:16 Pho B Diaw 2 Point Field Goal Pho 87-84 5:16 SA B Barry Foul Pho 87-84 5:16 Pho B Diaw 1 Point Free Throw Pho 88-84 5:01 SA T Parker 2 Point Miss Pho 88-84 4:47 SA T Parker 2 Point Miss Pho 88-84 4:45 SA T Parker Foul Pho 88-84 4:45 Pho B Diaw 1 Point Free Throw Pho 89-84 4:45 Pho B Diaw Missed Free Throw Pho 89-84 4:39 Pho S Nash 3 Point Miss Pho 89-84 4:08 Pho A Stoudemire Foul Pho 89-84 3:50 SA B Bowen 3 Point Miss Pho 89-84 3:36 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Miss Pho 89-84 3:29 SA M Ginobili 3 Point Miss Pho 89-84 3:11 Pho S Marion 2 Point Field Goal Pho 91-84 2:44 SA T Duncan 2 Point Field Goal Pho 91-86 2:22 Pho L Barbosa 3 Point Field Goal Pho 94-86 2:22 SA M Ginobili Foul Pho 94-86 2:22 - - Time Out Pho 94-86 2:22 Pho S Nash 1 Point Free Throw Pho 95-86 2:13 SA M Finley 3 Point Miss Pho 95-86 1:51 Pho S Nash 3 Point Miss Pho 95-86 1:42 SA M Ginobili 3 Point Miss Pho 95-86 1:38 Pho L Barbosa Foul Pho 95-86 1:38 SA T Duncan 1 Point Free Throw Pho 95-87 1:38 SA T Duncan Missed Free Throw Pho 95-87 1:19 Pho S Nash 2 Point Field Goal Pho 97-87 1:14 SA B Bowen 3 Point Miss Pho 97-87 0:49 Pho L Barbosa 2 Point Miss Pho 97-87 0:48 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Field Goal Pho 99-87 0:41 SA T Parker 2 Point Miss Pho 99-87 0:29 Pho A Stoudemire 2 Point Field Goal Pho 101-87 0:18 SA M Ginobili Foul Pho 101-87 0:18 Pho L Barbosa 1 Point Free Throw Pho 102-87 0:18 Pho L Barbosa 1 Point Free Throw Pho 103-87 0:00 - - Period Over Pho 103-87 0:00 - - Game Over Pho 103-87
Mehmet Okur scored eight of his 31 points in the final minute to lead the Utah Jazz to a 97-93 win over the San Antonio Spurs on last night on ESPN.
Utah ended a two-game losing streak, winning for the first time since Carlos Boozer injured his leg last week. The Jazz learned yesterday that Boozer's injury was a hairline fracture just below the knee and could keep him out several weeks.
Okur finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds.
Paul Millsap scored 15, pulled down eight boards, and swatted two blocks.
Deron Williams finished with 14 points and seven assits.
The Jazz pulled down 50 rebounds to San Antonio's 32, which tied the most San Antonio allowed this season. The Jazz also recorded 50 rebounds against the Spurs in November.
The Utah Jazz (30-17) have a two-day rest before heading next door to play the Phoenix Suns (36-9) on Saturday.
Almost every NBA fan will agree. It is silly that a team in the Atlantic Division with a .389 record can earn a trip to the playoffs while a team with a .529 record in the Southwest Division is sent home.
I agree that the Eastern and Western Conference, as well as Divisions, have an essential purpose during the regular season. Almost all professional sports have Conferences and Divisions to improve travel and time efficiency.
However, after the regular season is hashed out, I do not agree that a Conference should determine Playoff seeding.
I think we all remember last year when the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks owned two of the three best records in the NBA, yet they met each other in the second round of the playoffs. To avoid this travesty in the future, David Stern did away with Divisions determining the top three Playoff seeds. I think Stern should go one step further and do the same regarding Conferences.
Why can a team with a .389 record make the playoffs and a team with a .529 record not? Shouldn’t the 16 teams with the best records in the NBA earn the right to advance?
If the NBA regular season ended today, and Divisions / Conference meant nothing, what would the 2007 NBA Playoff bracket look like? What would the playoff match-ups look like if the 16 best teams in the NBA went to the playoffs?
The season is young and these records will obviously change by the conclusion of the regular season. For entertainment purposes, I will be updating this bracket once a week on Fridays to give us an idea of, "What if?"
The Utah Jazz (13-3) play the Los Angeles Lakers (9-5) tonight in the Staples Center.
The game will be nationally televised on TNT and tip off is scheduled for 10:30 pm EST.
The Jazz are coming off of a solid win last night at home against the San Antonio Spurs, but have lost two of their last three games.
The Lakers are coming off of a tough home loss against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night, and had a rest day yesterday.
The Jazz played the Lakers at home just seven days ago and pulled a come-from-behind 114-108 victory. Juggernaut rebounding in the fourth quarter helped the Jazz secure the win.
Rebounding and second-chance points will probably be the key to success for both teams tonight.
After starting the season 12-1, the Utah Jazz were coming off consecutive losses to Golden State and Orlando, getting outrebounded in both games.
The Jazz kept their losing streak brief by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 83-75.
Utah outrebounded San Antonio 50 to 34 and pulled down 16 offensive rebounds while the Spurs managed only seven.
Carlos Boozer led the Jazz with 23 points and 16 rebounds.
Matt Harpring added 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Deron Williams finished with 15 points and nine assists.
After trailing by as many as 10 points in the second quarter, the Jazz came to life. Andrei Kirilenko recorded all three of his blocks in the third quarter. As the Jazz continued to rally in the third quarter, Kirilenko stole a pass from Tim Duncan on the baseline and saved it from going out of bounds by getting it to Williams, who started a fast break that Boozer finished to put Utah ahead 57-53.
Going in to Wednesday night's game, Utah and San Antonio had the two best records in the Western Conference.
San Antonio had won 22 of their last 24 games against the Jazz.
Jerry Sloan earned his 997th win as an NBA coach.
The Utah Jazz (13-3) travel to Los Angeles on Thursday to face the LA Lakers (9-5). The game will be televised nationally on TNT.
Round One Results :: [ 6 - 2 ]
Round Three Results :: [ 1 - 1 ]
Round One Results :: [ 6 - 2 ]
Round Two Results :: [ 3 - 1 ]
The Utah Jazz lead the league in comeback wins in which they were down by 10 points or more. They have done it 16 times this season and almost added to that number on Sunday.
Odds - Team - %
Mehmet Okur was named Western Conference player of the week early Monday.
