Maybe the Jazz aren't quite as awful as owner Larry H. Miller claimed last week, when he announced — in fairly colorful terms — that the team stunk. But that doesn't mean they're a work of art, either. Wednesday night's season-ending win over Houston proved just one thing: The Jazz's second team can beat Houston's second team.

Otherwise, you'll have to wait until the weekend, when the same teams meet in the playoffs.

Except this time they'll be keeping score.

The Jazz wrapped up the regular season with two straight wins, which — considering the month they've had — was a relief. But not necessarily an indicator. How did they manage to win 51 games, anyway? It's hard to describe how quickly they wilted. Remember the good old days, three months ago? Seemed everyone had something to contribute, and few opponents were equipped for the Jazz's versatility and depth. But they lost six of their last eight, before Wednesday's game, and 12 of 19. They also allowed Houston to overtake them for homecourt advantage in the playoffs.

In general, they acted like a team that could just ... barely ... finish.

Oxygen, anyone?

While Wednesday's game served no particular purpose as far as standings are concerned, the 101-91 win did give the Jazz a hint of momentum. How much is debatable. After all, they fell behind by 15 points in the first quarter and got booed by the hometown crowd for their (non-) effort.

It would be nice to say that Houston's Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming were simply too much for the Jazz, except they weren't. The two All-Stars never got off the bench. Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy brazenly held out his key players, resting them for the playoffs. The result: a lineup full of unknowns.

"It was a little difficult, because they sent some players out and evidently our (starting) players didn't feel like getting after it," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "I'm happy because our bench seemed to be enthused."

While it's true neither team played their primary lineup more than necessary — Deron Williams, for instance, played only 5 1/2 minutes in the second half — at least some things may have been accomplished. For instance, Sloan said, "Their guys off the bench played hard. Our guys I thought played pretty hard."

Still, for the last month, the Jazz and Rockets have been going in opposite directions. Houston had won five straight before Wednesday and seemed to have captured playoff fever. The Jazz? They were free falling.