Utah Jazz get much-need victory

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Utah Jazz didn't get a 44-point quarter this time against the Sacramento Kings.

They didn't need it.

They didn't need anywhere near the 120 points they scored against the Kings in that blowout at home last Friday, either.

Though playing shorthanded again, the Jazz picked up a much-needed road win by edging the Kings 99-94 at Arco Arena.

Despite 25 turnovers, Utah played well down the stretch to pull out this win and improve to 12-7. The Jazz outscored the Kings 35-28 in the final quarter.

Deron Williams had a couple of big baskets in the final minutes to lead the Jazz. Kyle Korver led Utah with 15 points, while Williams and Ronnie Brewer both scored a team-high 14 points.

Only nine players saw action for the Jazz because of injuries, but every participant chipped in at least six points and played 17 or more minutes in the win.

Paul Millsap had another double-double in Carlos Boozer's absence, scoring 13 points with 11 rebounds, and Mehmet Okur added nine points and 11 boards.

This was the first of a four-games-in-five-nights stretch for Utah. The Jazz return to EnergySolutions Arena on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. contest against the Miami Heat.

Though Andrei Kirilenko and Matt Harpring were unavailable off the bench, the Jazz still got some spark from their reserves. Morris Almond had one of his better all-around games of his two-year career, scoring 12 points with six rebounds and two blocked shots.

Ronnie Price (eight points and four assists) and rookie Kosta Koufos (six rebounds and five boards) also had solid showings. C.J. Miles also had eight points.

Sacramento took a 88-87 lead with just under two minutes to go, but Utah fired right back with an inside bucket by Millsap.

Beno Udrih answered with a driving bucket to give the Kings a 90-89 lead, only to have Deron Williams respond with his own layup to put Utah ahead by one.

Millsap then got a big defensive rebound off a missed 3-pointer by the Kings, and Williams hit a jumper to put the Jazz's lead at three with 30 seconds left.

Okur and Millsap then all but sealed the win for Utah. Okur pulled down a wild miss by Brad Miller and hit a free throw with 14 seconds left. Millsap then grabbed an offensive rebound, and Korver hit 1 of 2 free throws to give the Jazz a 95-90 edge with 10 ticks to go.

Kevin Martin, returned after missing 13 games with an ankle injury, and scored 22 points in a reserve role to lead the Kings.

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