Practice News Story # 8 Sports

Jazz Squeeze a Victory Out of a Dry Season
Posted 8:45 p.m. March 24, 2007


The crowd was booming and the players beaming as the Jazz took home a long awaited victory on Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. After a hard fought fourth quarter, the Utah Jazz pulled ahead to win 106-99.
During the first quarter the Clippers brought their A game and lead 22-13. Even with Brewer back from injury the Jazz couldn’t seem to keep up during the first half. Analyst Marty Burns of Sports Illustrated commented that the Clippers “continued that momentum in the second quarter.” At half time it was coming close to a tie with the Jazz only four points away from the Clippers 24.
When the second quarter began the Jazz stepped it up and showcased their all-star talent. Clippers player Elton Brand said, “It’s always great playing against all-stars. I like playing against anyone who makes me step up my game.” The Clippers did have to step up throughout the entire third quarter as the Jazz pulled ahead. The third quarter pick up is typical of coach Jerry Sloan. Marty Burns commented, “that’s kind of telling for the Jazz. The third quarter is the telling of the game. The Jazz came back hard … it seemed to me that it was the experience of Derrick Fisher that made it happen … as if the game started over in the third quarter.” Working well in the tight situation Fisher helped the team by scoring 12 of the 106 points.
The win basically came down to a three point shot sunk by center Mehmet Okur. The teams were tied in those last crucial minutes with 97 points. The Jazz pulled together to make way for Okur and his shooting magic. Paul Milsap said he “set the screen and opened it up to Okur,” and Fisher said he “gave it to him [Okur], he sank that three there was no looking back.” That three pointer brought the Jazz ahead and the Clipper couldn’t keep up.
Despite their loss, the Clippers still showed what they can do on the court. Elton Brand’s 33 points even overshadowed the Jazz’s top scorer Carlos Booker’s 22 points. Brand said, “every lose is hard. I try to do my part.” However, his efforts were not enough to stop the Jazz’s second half revival. Both teams had stellar performances from their players and both teams played great basketball.
With a victory under their belts, and after a four game losing streak the Jazz are still keeping play-off hopes alive. In regards to winning the play-offs coach Sloan said, “We always have a chance…we have a lot of young blood, new energy.” Sloan is also in the running for NBA coach of the year. From his teams performance Friday Marty Burns said, “I think he’s got it wrapped up.” The future of both teams is still wide open, and no one’s hopes have been dashed quite yet.
The Clippers’ next game is tonight against the Wizards and the Jazz face the Grizzles tonight as well.