During practice earlier in the week, Utah's small forward Andrei Kirilenko was injured (reportedly back inflammation) and did not travel with the team to Portland for a much anticipated rematch against the Trailblazers. This marked the fourth duel between the teams in 25 days, and the second in three games.
Portland entered the game on a two-game winning streak, and had won fifteen of their last sixteen (the only loss coming in Utah).
With many options to fill Kirilenko's starting position, Coach Jerry Sloan went with sophomore CJ Miles. Perhaps the 6 points in 23 minutes was not the productivity he had in mind.
Who else could he have started? A popular among fans, Kyle Korver, would be the logical choice. Korver scored 4 points and went 0-2 from downtown in 22 minutes tonight. Another choice would be Matt Harpring, who shot a productive 7-11 from the field and pulled down 5 boards in just 18 minutes of play.
Jazz starters committed 14 turnovers compared to Portland's 5. The Jazz were outrebounded 31-43. The Jazz bench, led by Matt Harpring with 14, was outscored 28-43 by Portland.
Carlos Boozer was placed under a microscope playing against Portland's sophomore LeMarcus Aldridge. The last time these two met Aldridge scored a career high 36 compared to Boozer's 19. Tonight, Carlos was held to 6 points on 3-16 shooting while Aldridge scored 20 and swatted 4 shots.
Deron Williams led the Jazz with 23 points while Martell Webster led Portland with 26 (a career high with 24 in the third quarter).
Fan-hated Jarron Collins scored 5 points on 2-2 shooting from the field and 1-2 from the free throw line in 8 minutes of play.
Portland's leading scorer, Brandon Roy, played 9 minutes in the first quarter, but watched the blow-out from the bench for the rest of the game.
Utah plays Indiana at home on Tuesday (01/08/08)
Saturday, January 5, 2008
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2 comments:
hahaha. It's strange because personally. I dont see AK-47's stats to amaze me as much this year as it did last couple years... hes been amazing.. but this season with all the talk about moving back overseas to play basketball in russia.. it seems like he's been slowing down a bit.. but its amazing to see that his presence is missed when hes "DNP". Kyle Korver is a shooter.. but for us to say that he cud take the pressure off the Jazz is near impossible to say.. because hes not that kind of player. AK not only cud score but he was defensively set. Korver doesnt give you that. I'd agree that Harpring is probably the most solid player on the Jazz bench.. he can step out for shots and he can clean up downlow. He's an aggressive player that gives you 100% every game. Boozer.. Boozer.. its Aldridge... play your game.. hahaha.
but I love Martell Webster tho.. so I was happy that he did well.. Im ready to see the Utah Jazz of last season.
Yeah, but take a look at who else the Jazz have. When you take away AK-47, they can't fill that void with anything! Also, Boozer's worst game of the year coupled with Martell's career best scoring was not a good combo. Its cool that he has come so far from his play in the D-League though.
I think we're all ready to see the Utah Jazz of Last season!
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