Utah Jazz - Dealing with the Hoodoo

[Liam_93]

Jazz win despite the Kobe Show.



Salt Lake City -- Despite a show that Kobe brought straight from Hollywood the Utah Jazz still handled the Lakers with a stunning 4th Quarter performance and a consistent showing in OT.

Staright out of the gate the Jazz were rebounding well on the offensive glass as Center Al Jefferson was bossing his way about the paint showing why he has the Third most votes in the West to get to the All-Star game but his matchup Andrew Bynum was was also drawing contact frequently in the Jazz paint. Kobe Bryant struggled early on with his shot shooting only 2 of in the middle of the 1st Q. The Jazz were giving the Laker Defense problems with their effective play calling and efficient jump shooting. Coming into the 2nd Quarter Andrew Bynum was 3/3 with his effectiveness in the post. Their was also a post battle with Al Jefferson and Pau Gasol while Jefferson was playing at the 4 when 2nd Year Jazz Center Enes Kanter was in the game. With the Jazz down by four veteran point guard Earl Watson would hit a tough three in Metta World Peace's face to trim the lead to just 1 point. When the Jazz finally got into the lead Alec Burks would keep draining his jumpers to keep the Jazz ahead when Kobe was finally heating up and hitting consecutive shots, with it 45-49 at the half the Jazz were shooting 50%.

Kobe was just as efficient coming into the 3rd quarter when his and one at the 9 minute mark put Los Angeles up by two and he would also score 9 of the Lakers 15 points in the opening 6 minuets to keep the Jazz at bay and lead by 11 after a scoreless 4 minuets by the Jazz where they would be down by 14 going into the 4th Q. A 7-0 run at the start of the 4th quarter would spark the Jazz on an unbelievable 37 point quarter and when Kobe blew an open dunk the Jazz knew they had the Laker D reeling with the Jazz down by three with no time on the clock Jazz rookie Jordan Taylor would hit the OT forcing 3. He had this to say : " I seen the opportunity even though i could hear the coach saying not to do it but when you have the chance to save your team you would take it too".


Jordan Taylor after the big shot to send it to OT.

Going into Overtime straight away Al Jefferson asserted his dominance on the offensive glass grabbing a Devin Harris miss and throwing it down ferociously giving the Jazz a 3pt lead but the Lakers would get the points straight back as Pau would do the same to Utah. With 23 seconds on the clock Raymond Felton would miss a wide open 3 and the Jazz would take it down court and with 5 seconds left rookie forward Harrison Barnes would drain the game winning shot and the Jazz would take their season series against the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant had this to say after the game:

"It's something that you dont want to happen it's so demoralizing to lose a game in OT and the whole locker room knows it"


Kobe not looking hapy

Next up for the Jazz they will be back on the road to face the Pacers in Indianapolis and Danny Granger and Co. will be hoping to stop the Jazz from walking away with another W.


The Pacers are having a good season

Box Score:

Los Angeles Lakers (15-5) at Utah Jazz (9-9)
Dec 7, 2012 1 2 3 4 OT Final Los Angeles 27 19 35 23 12 115 Utah 25 24 17 37 15 118 Top Performers Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (53 pts, 2stls, 22-41 FG) Pau Gasol (19 pts, 13 rebs, 8-15 FG) Utah Jazz Al Jefferson (17 points, 8 rebs, 8-10 FG) Paul Millsap (17 pts, 12 rebs, -12 FG)	Team Stats Comparison LAL UTH FG Made-Att 47-101 48-92 3PT Made-Att 3-10 8-15 FT Made-Att 18-22 14-22 Rebounds 50 55 Assists 25 27 Turnovers 7 11 Steals 4 4 Blocks 4 4

[Liam_93]

Matchup Preview *|* December 9, 2012
	@
Utah Jazz (9-9, 4-5 Away)		Indiana Pacers (11-7, 6-4 Home)
Stats Comparison 99.9 Points Per Game 105.7 103.6 PPG Allowed 98.0 .427 Field Goal % .480 .805 Free Throw % .777 .326 3-Point % .400 54.7 Rebounds 47.8 8.4 Blocks 8.3 10.4 Steals 9.1 23.2 Turnovers 14.9 Projected Starters Devin Harris Point Guard George Hill Alec Burks Shooting Guard Paul George Harrison Barnes Small Forward Danny Granger Paul Millsap Power Forward David West Al Jefferson Center Roy Hibbert Injury Report Isaiah Thomas - Strained MCL 1-2 Weeks

[Liam_93]

Devin Harris Game winner ruled no good, Jazz defeated in Indiana



Indiana -- David West starred as the Indiana Pacers shrugged off the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life but it would be Danny Granger who started giving the Jazz problems with his early drives to the basket and drawing and and one on Alec Burks and he would help on his way to the Paces draining their first 3 or 4 baskets. David West and Paul Millsap would be going at each others throats early down in the post draining fadeaways, jump hooks and up and under's while drawing fouls on each other.

Into the second Q and the pacers were shooting 50% from deep once Leandro Barbosa and George Hill would drain two 3's in a row coming out of the 1st quarter. Roy Hibbert would cause the Jazz D problems using his length to score effectively whether it be a jumper or anything in the post. The Jazz shot poorly through the middle of the second but recovered to stop the Pacers scoring run and staying solid defensively and again off the bench the ever present Derrick Favours doing his part making his shout for a Sixth Man of the Year nomination. It was 46-60 at HT and the pacers were shooting 53% for the field.

The Jazz would come storming out of the of the half shooting 4/5 in the opening 2 minuets most of this coming from Harrison Barnes efficiency and getting two and 1 possessions in a row but Samuel Dalmbert was providing an defensive spark off the bench for the Pacers which would be key in their 4th quarter performance while David West carried the Pacer through the 3rd to keep their lead even when the Jazz were shooting 58% in the 3rd.

But the Pacers would close the game out shooting 53% for the game and it was in doubt when the jazz came within 2 and David West fouled out on 21 points and Devin Harris will be so demoralized as when he was passed the ball on the perimeter by Alec Burks he shot the 3 it went in but replays showed it did not leave his fingertips until after the buzzer and the Pacers Walk away with the W.

Now the Jazz entertain Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili as the Spurs visit the Energy Solutions Arena next and George Karl and the Jazz will be hoping to walk away with a win. George Karl had this to say: "We can leave tonight with our heads held high we lost a close game you never want that but we played well we just weren't the better team and Devin was unlucky not to win the game for us".



Game Recap @Pacers

Utah Jazz (9-10) at Indiana Pacers (12-7)
Dec 9, 2012 1 2 3 4 Final Utah 22 24 29 38 113 Indiana 32 28 23 31 114 Top Performers Utah Jazz Harrison Barnes (21 pts, 6 rebs, 8-12 FG) Paul Millsap (18 pts, 10 rebs, 7-12 FG) Indiana Pacers David West (21 pts, 7 rebs, 10-13 FG Paul George (20 pts, 10 rebs, 2 stls)	Team Stats Comparison UTH IND FG Made-Att 41-86 49-93 3PT Made-Att 11-17 4-16 FT Made-Att 20-28 12-14 Rebounds 39 52 Assists 19 25 Turnovers 6 9 Steals 4 6 Blocks 3 8

[Liam_93]

Jazz deal Harris to Bobcats for Augustin

Salt Lake City -- It is understood that the Utah Jazz have dealt their starting point guard Devin Harris to the Charlotte Bobcats for D.J Augustin. Augustin who is averaging 14.9 points and just over 7 assists in 33.1 minuets for the bobcats this season will be making his way to Salt Lake City to team up with George Karl and the Jazz. Kemba Walker is seen as the Bobcats' future Point Guard so it is no surprise that Augustin has been dealt to Utah where he will play a much bigger role in their hunt to make the playoffs in the west. It is understood that the Bobcats will also recieve next years first round pick and second round pick from the Jazz and they have also acquired their former shooting guard Raja Bell while they send Reggie Williams to the Jazz too.

ESPN.COM were able to catch up with Augustin and ask him about his new team:

"I was at a practice shooting some jumpers with the team and I didnt know much about it at the time but I am excited to meet up with coach Karl and my new teammates and hopefully I can help my new team to the playoff's and start and new chapter in my career as well"

So it looks like Augustin will go straight into the line-up for the game against the Spurs, their are many questions as to how he will play with the Jazz and if he will find success in Utah but we will just have to wait and see.

[Liam_93]

Depth Chart and Roster updated on 1st post.

[Liam_93]

Matchup Preview *|* December 10, 2012
	@
San Antonio Spurs (7-10, 4-6 Away)		Utah Jazz (9-10, 5-4 Home)
Stats Comparison 96.3 Points Per Game 100.6 97.8 PPG Allowed 104.2 .444 Field Goal % .418 .744 Free Throw % .805 .345 3-Point % .368 47.5 Rebounds 55.0 3.1 Blocks 9.6 7.9 Steals 10.6 16.4 Turnovers 21.9 Projected Starters Tony Parker Point Guard D.J Augustin Manu Ginobili Shooting Guard Alec Burks Stephen Jackson Small Forward Harrison Barnes Tim Duncan Power Forward Paul Millsap DeJuan Blair Center Al Jefferson Game Notes UTA: Augustin plays 1st game for the Jazz.

[nuka]

nice dynasty. following.

[Liam_93]

Quote: Originally Posted by nuka

nice dynasty. following.

Thanks. knowing people are following gives me incentive to continue.