From Deseret News archives:

Jazz collapse: Utah blows 22-point lead, falls at home to lowly foe

Published: Sunday, April 8, 2007 11:05 a.m. MDT
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"He caught a great rhythm, and he made some tough shots," said a subdued Harpring.

"I don't know if we should have doubled him or done something else to get the ball out of his hands. We've got to do a better job of that," said Jazz forward Carlos Boozer, who sat the entire second quarter as Millsap was playing well and pushing Sonic forwards away from their favored spots on the court, said Sloan.

As Lewis and the Sonics gained more confidence, the Jazz occasionally acted like they'd never played together, several times throwing passes to spots just vacated by teammates or spots that weren't filled, the ball bounding out of bounds or ending up in Sonic hands for fast breaks.

"You have to keep your composure," said Sloan, noting that Seattle sometimes double-teamed Utah players, and they made hasty decisions with the ball. Sloan said he was taught to eat the ball rather than throw it away and would rather have a shot-clock violation than a poor pass because that forces the other team to take the ball out of bounds — not go romping off on a fast break for a momentum-building slam.

"It was panic little bit," said Okur. "Like three times I turned the ball over. I don't know what happened, but we was panic."

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Okur had an opportunity for another of those important 3-point baskets, for which he's become so well-known, with 9.9 seconds left from almost straightaway, the Sonics leading 102-101, but the shot missed.

Jazz guard Derek Fisher rebounded but missed from underneath when Sonic Mickael Gelabale blocked it, Nick Collison rebounding for Seattle and getting fouled. He made both free throws for a 104-101 lead. Fisher then missed a 3, but Boozer rebounded the air ball and put it in as the shot clock expired to leave Utah down 104-103 with four seconds left. Utah had to foul again, and Lewis made the free ones, leaving Fisher to miss a 24-footer with .2 of a second left.

Deron Williams, who missed the second half of Friday's game at Sacramento due to a re-strained groin muscle, played more than 42 minutes, high on the Jazz, and led his team with 24 points and 13 assists. Boozer had 16 points and 13 rebounds.


E-mail: lham@desnews.com

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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

Utah Jazz's Derek Fisher protests a no call in the closing minutes of Saturday's game.

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