A Bittersweet Symphony - Utah Jazz Association

[JazzMan]

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Timberwolves beat Jazz in Salt Lake City, 97-92


Apr. 12, 2013
Nikola Pekovic was just 2 points shy of a career high when the T-Wolves beat Utah in Salt Lake City tonight. Pekovic had 28 points and 12 rebounds, whil former Jazzman Andrei Kirilenko added 17 and 8. It was a bit of a homecoming night for Kirilenko, as he was greeted to the sound of cheers and applause at Energy Solutions Arena.

For the Jazz, Hayward scored 18 and recorded 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Favors added 15 and 9 coming off the bench, and Millsap finished with 11 and 13. Jefferson was only able to muster 10 points and 6 rebounds in 33 minutes.

Starting shooting guard for the Jazz Alec Burks twisted his ankle, and the Jazz are shutting him down for the T-Wolves game on the 15th.

[JazzMan]

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Jazz beat T-Wolves in rematch, clinch playoff berth

Apr. 15, 2013
The Utah Jazz have slithered their way into the playoffs with a win over the Timberwolves in Minnesota, 98 to 89. The win ensures that the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks will NOT be in the NBA Playoffs this year.

This is tough to swallow for the Lakers and the Mavs, as the Lakers had assembled a "super team" last offseason and came into the season as championship contenders. As for the Mavs, it's a fall from grace from when they won the championship 2 years ago against the Miami Heat. Where do both teams go from here?

For Utah, they get into the playoffs for the 2nd consecutive year, and will more than likely face the Spurs again in the first round. San Antonio swept the Jazz last year, so Utah is just looking to make some noise in the playoffs.

For a roster as young as this, the playoffs are a great experience, loss or not.

[JazzMan]

2012-2013 Season Awards
Award	Player	Pos	Team
Most Valuable Player	LeBron James	SF	Miami Heat
Rookie of the Year	Damian Lillard	PG	Portland Trail Blazers
Sixth Man of the Year	J.R. Smith	SG	New York Knicks
Defensive Player of the Year	Dwight Howard	C	Los Angeles Lakers
Most Improved Player	Larry Sanders	C	Milwaukee Bucks
Coach of the Year	Erik Spoelstra	HC	Miami Heat
All-NBA 1st Team
All-NBA 1st Team	Kobe Bryant	G	Los Angeles Lakers
	Russell Westbrook	G	Oklahoma City Thunder
	LeBron James	F	Miami Heat
	Kevin Durant	F	Oklahoma City Thunder
	Tim Duncan	C	San Antonio Spurs
All-NBA 2nd Team
All-NBA 2nd Team	James Harden	G	Houston Rockets
	Chris Paul	G	Los Angeles Clippers
	Carmelo Anthony	F	New York Knicks
	LaMarcus Aldridge	F	Portland Trail Blazers
	Dwight Howard	C	Los Angeles Lakers
All-NBA 3rd Team
All-NBA 3rd Team	Stephen Curry	G	Golden State Warriors
	Jrue Holiday	G	Philadelphia 76ers
	David Lee	F	Golden State Warriors
	Blake Griffin	F	Los Angeles Clippers
	Joakim Noah	C	Chicago Bulls
All-Defensive 1st Team
All-Defensive 1st Team	Paul George	G	Indiana Pacers
	Dwyane Wade	G	Miami Heat
	Josh Smith	F	Atlanta Hawks
	Serge Ibaka	F	Oklahoma City Thunder
	Dwight Howard	C	Los Angeles Lakers
All-Defensive 2nd Team
All-Defensive 2nd Team	Andre Iguodala	G	Denver Nuggets
	Chris Paul	G	Los Angeles Clippers
	Anthony Davis	F	New Orleans Hornets
	Kevin Durant	F	Oklahoma City Thunder
	Joakim Noah	C	Chicago Bulls
All-Rookie 1st Team
All-Rookie 1st Team	Damian Lillard	G	Portland Trail Blazers
	Bradley Beal	G	Washington Wizards
	Dion Waiters	G	Cleveland Cavaliers
	Michael Kidd-Gilchrist	F	Charlotte Bobcats
	Anthony Davis	F	New Orleans Hornets
All-Rookie 2nd Team
All-Rookie 2nd Team	Andre Drummond	C	Detroit Pistons
	Tyler Zeller	C	Cleveland Cavaliers
	Harrison Barnes	F	Golden State Warriors
	Maurice Harkless	F	Orlando Magic
	Jonas Valanciunas	C	Toronto Raptors

NBA Standings - Updated: Apr 17, 2013
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1st Seed - Miami Heat
8th Seed - Milwaukee Bucks
4th Seed - Indiana Pacers
5th Seed - Chicago Bulls
3rd Seed - Brooklyn Nets
6th Seed - Atlanta Hawks
2nd Seed - New York Knicks
7th Seed - Boston Celtics
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1st Seed - San Antonio Spurs
8th Seed - Utah Jazz
4th Seed - Los Angeles Clippers
5th Seed - Denver Nuggets
3rd Seed - Memphis Grizzlies
6th Seed - Golden State Warriors
2nd Seed - OKC Thunder
7th Seed - Houston Rockets

[JazzMan]

Game 1:

Spoiler

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8th Seed Jazz beat Spurs in Game 1[

Last year, the Jazz were swept by the San Antonio Spurs, but this year is a different year. The Jazz came out swinging and beat San Antonio on the Spurs' home court. Mo Williams added 19 points, Favors had 28, Hayward had 14, and Al had 12 and 11.

Despite Tony Parker's perfect game (13-13 shooting), the Spurs were unable to muster enough offense other than Parker and Duncan, who had 28 and 21 respectively. Ginobili only scored 9 points of of 3-16 shooting.

Jazz 99 - 90 Spurs

Game 2 is in San Antonio as well!

Game 2:

Spoiler

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Spurs even series up at 1-1

The San Antonio Spurs completed a late 4th-quarter comeback to conquer the Utah Jazz in San Antonio. Stephen Jackson is the unlikely hero, as he scored 19 points off 8-10 FG's with just 13 minutes of play. Ginobili added 18 as well.

Al Jefferson finished with 19 and 11, and Hayward had 18. Kanter contributed with 14 points in 15 minutes, and Favors came off the bench with 13 points in 22 minutes.

Game 3 is in Salt Lake City!

Game 3:

Spoiler

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Tony Parker blows past Utah to pick up 2nd win for Spurs

Tony Parker finished with 28 points and 6 assists for the Spurs as San Antonio defeats Utah in Salt Lake City 106 to 102.

The Jazz are seemingly running out of gas after the first game of the series, in which they won, and San Antonio is taking advantage of it.

Jefferson and Hayward both scored 26 and 22, respectively, for the Jazz. Utah also outrebounded San Antonio, but turned the ball over more as well.

Game 4 stays in Salt Lake City.

Game 4:

Spoiler

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San Antonio shakes off late Jazz comeback, go up 3-1

It was a little too late for the Jazz tonight. They scored 40 points in the 4th quarter, but were still blown out by the much more seasoned San Antonio Spurs, 122 to 104.

Tony Parker has once again dissected the Jazz defense and has lead his team to a 3-1 advantage against Utah. He finished with 27 points.

For Utah, they can be satisfied in knowing that Hayward, Favors, and Kanter have all played very well in this series. Burks hasn't been too shabby either.

I think Game 5, win or lose, could determine what happens to the Jazz this offseason.

Game 5:

Spoiler

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Spurs eliminate Jazz in wild Game 5

The Jazz knew they didn't have a chance to knock off the Spurs in this series. But they thought they might as well have some fun while they could. The Jazz had San Antonio on the ropes for the entire game, but Tim Duncan's dominance proved to be too much for the young guns.

The Jazz are good. They're also young. It's just not simply their time yet.

Tim Duncan scored 22 points and 17 rebounds with 4 blocks and 4 assists at age 37. He played 41 minutes tonight. Amazing.

"They're a great team," says Duncan, "I have a feeling that next year, they could end up as a 5th seed team if they can keep gelling the way they have been. I don't know if Al and Millsap will be back, but I know that Jazz basketball will always be stiff competition."

Some great praise from a great player.

[JazzMan]

End of Round 1

NBA Standings - Updated: Apr 17, 2013
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1st Seed - Miami Heat	4
8th Seed - Milwaukee Bucks	0
4th Seed - Indiana Pacers	2
5th Seed - Chicago Bulls	4
3rd Seed - Brooklyn Nets	0
6th Seed - Atlanta Hawks	4
2nd Seed - New York Knicks	4
7th Seed - Boston Celtics	1
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1st Seed - San Antonio Spurs	4
8th Seed - Utah Jazz	1
4th Seed - Los Angeles Clippers	1
5th Seed - Denver Nuggets	4
3rd Seed - Memphis Grizzlies	4
6th Seed - Golden State Warriors	3
2nd Seed - OKC Thunder	4
7th Seed - Houston Rockets	1

[JazzMan]

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Season In Review

The Utah Jazz have seen their fair share of ups and downs this season. They've seen the young talent outshine the veterans, and they've seen the veterans a step ahead of the young talent. However, with so many expiring contracts this offseason, including Jefferson and Millsap, it's difficult to see what direction Utah will be heading next year. Will they rebuild? Will they resign some pieces? Go after a big fish in free agency? Who knows at this point.

It has been stated, though, that the team would like to keep it's Core 4 (Hayward, Burks, Favors, Kanter) for as long as possible. Favors and Hayward still have a year left on their contracts before they become restricted free agents.

With all 4 of those guys making such great strides at the end of the year and even the playoffs, it's hard to see them not starting next year. Then again, this is all speculation.

UTAH JAZZ TEAM MVP: AL JEFFERSON
UTAH JAZZ ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: KEVIN MURPHY
UTAH JAZZ MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR: GORDON HAYWARD

Utah Jazz Stats - '12-'13
Player	GP	MIN	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	TPG	FPG
Al Jefferson, C	77	32.6	17.0	9.1	2.0	0.9	1.1	1.3
Paul Millsap, PF	77	29.7	14.5	7.2	2.3	1.3	1.1	1.7
Gordon Hayward, SF	71	29.4	14.5	3.3	3.1	0.8	0.6	1.7
Mo Williams, PG	45	30.3	12.1	2.3	5.9	0.9	0.2	2.6
Randy Foye, SG	82	26.0	10.2	1.6	2.0	0.7	0.3	1.1
Derrick Favors, PF	77	22.8	9.6	6.8	0.9	0.8	1.6	1.7
Alec Burks, SG	65	18.9	7.7	2.5	1.6	0.6	0.2	1.2
Enes Kanter, C	79	15.6	7.5	4.6	0.4	0.4	0.4	1.4
Marvin Williams, SF	75	22.8	7.0	3.6	0.9	0.5	0.5	0.8
DeMarre Carroll, SF	70	16.2	5.8	2.7	0.8	0.8	0.3	0.5
Jamaal Tinsley, PG	66	18.5	3.7	1.8	4.3	0.9	0.2	1.6
Kevin Murphy, SF	17	4.9	2.3	0.4	0.5	0.1	0.1	0.2
Jeremy Evans, PF	33	6.4	2.1	1.7	0.3	0.2	0.4	0.2
Earl Watson, PG	55	16.1	1.9	1.7	3.7	0.7	0.1	1.4
Hamady N'Diaye, C	2	8.5	0.0	2.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

[JazzMan]

End of Quarter-Finals

NBA Standings - Updated: Apr 17, 2013
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1st Seed - Miami Heat	4
5th Seed - Chicago Bulls	0
2nd Seed - New York Knicks	4
6th Seed - Atlanta Hawks	2
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1st Seed - San Antonio Spurs	3
5th Seed - Denver Nuggets	4
2nd Seed - OKC Thunder	4
3rd Seed - Memphis Grizzlies	2

End of Conference Finals

NBA Standings - Updated: Apr 17, 2013
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1st Seed - Miami Heat	3
2nd Seed - New York Knicks	4
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
2nd Seed - OKC Thunder	1
5th Seed - Denver Nuggets	4

[JazzMan]

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NBA FINALS!

The New York Knicks and former Nugget Carmelo Anthony will take on 'Melo's former team for the NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!

These two teams have essentially flip-flopped rosters from the past 3 years, so it'll be interesting as to how this one plays out!

Spoiler

The New York Knicks win in GAME 7!!

Finals MVP: Carmelo Anthony, with 32.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 3.6 APG