From Deseret News archives:

Jazz roar back in 2nd half, take down new-look Denver

Published: Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007 4:21 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
They played as if the NBA's Northwest Division was on the line.

Which maybe it was, even if February, March and April still await.

Or so the Jazz, the Nuggets and a sold-out audience of 19,911 seemed to act as Utah held on for a 116-111 victory that ended Denver's five-game winning streak and electrified EnergySolutions Arena.

"It was a lot more intense," Jazz point guard Deron Williams said of Friday night's affair compared to other January outings. "The crowd was definitely into it."

"Our crowd's been great all year," guard Derek Fisher added, "but you could tell that there was a little bit extra buzz in the building — rightfully so, with two great players coming in."

Yet, for all Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson did Friday — and it was plenty, with Anthony scoring a game-high 37 points on 14-of-28 shooting from the field and Iverson adding another 33 points — it was the most curious cast of Jazz characters who stole the show and put 29-15 Utah five games up on 22-18 Denver in a Northwest race that may be far from done.

Story continues below
The usuals did their part, as Carlos Boozer had a team-high 25 points and 19 rebounds for his 33rd double-double, Williams pitched in a double-double with 16 points and 12 assists, Mehmet Okur produced 14 points and Matt Harpring contributed 11 off the bench.

But with starting shooting guard Andrei Kirilenko exiting in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle and not returning, the Jazz tapped much deeper into the bench than usual.

And everyone who was called on came through, especially rookies Ronnie Brewer and Paul Millsap and veteran Gordan Giricek.

"You need numbers of guys at different times coming up with key performances," Fisher said. "The good teams have that — Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio. They have guys that can come off the bench and step up their performance when needed."

Utah had it Friday too.

Giricek, who lost his starting shooting job to Fisher earlier this month, finished with a season high-matching 13 points, including a big 3-pointer with just more than eight minutes remaining.

Brewer matched his season scoring high as well, scoring 12 on 5-of-6 shooting in his first game after spending the past five watching from the sideline.

He also flustered Anthony a bit as well, including a fourth-quarter steal that preceded Giricek's trey.

But it was backup forward Millsap who was on Anthony for the final minute-plus, which is when things really went awry for the Nuggets.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

Utah rookie Ronnie Brewer hangs in the air as he scores two of his 12 points against Denver on Friday night in EnergySolutions Arena.

previousnext

Latest comments

STOP blaming the Democrats, BLAME THE REPUBLICANS FOR 8 YEARS DOING NOTHING...

The best way to break the law is to become someone who enforces the law.

It's a real shame so many folks have never gotten out and gotten to know the...

It's all talk... you do not have any evidence for your claims. You assume...

Maybe if you could bat .408 in the major leagues, you too would be paid a...

I prefer the “Wizard of Earthsea” quartet by Ursula Le Guin, an...

Water wars in Snake Valley

The bottom line question that no one can possibly answer is; what will be the...

It looks to me like special treatment.

Jazz will have a tough week, with what should be a easy win against the...

I am very excited for this game. As much as I want the Utes to win, it won't...

Advertisements
Advertisement