Kirilenko returns to old self

After being almost invisible for the first five games of the series, Andrei Kirilenko suddenly looked like his old self in Game 6 against Houston Thursday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

AK47 was the one making the big shots when the Jazz looked to be on the verge of throwing away a double-digit lead and perhaps seeing their season come to a disappointing end.

Kirilenko hit two big baskets in a 34-second span, including a 20-footer, to push the Jazz lead to five points with under four minutes left, helping propel Utah to its 12-point victory.

"He played terrific," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "Nobody knows how important he is to us. Andrei was so active and trying to do everything he could to help us to win."

When asked which Kirilenko was on the floor Thursday, the big Russian said, "Definitely AK47 tonight. It was all-around rifle ... working everywhere ... in the sand, in the river ..."

Not only did he play tough defense on Tracy McGrady, holding him to 8 of 23 shooting, including 1 of 8 in the second half, Kirilenko finished with one of those stat lines he's famous for with five blocked shots, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

But what really stood out was his 14 points, which nearly matched his point total of 17 for the previous five games combined.

Kirklenko's two big baskets came with less than five minutes left and the Rockets appearing ready to take the lead, trailing the Jazz 77-76 after earlier trailing by 11 in the second half.

First AK streaked down the lane from the right wing and took a perfect pass from Deron Williams to give the Jazz a three-point lead.

Then after an offensive foul by Yao Ming, Kirilenko took a pass from Mehmet Okur out on the right angle a couple of feet inside the 3-point line.

Kirilenko, who has struggled with his outside shooting for much of the season, didn't hesitate and swished the wide-open jumper to give the Jazz an 81-76 lead with 3:51 left.

"The first was a pick-and-roll and Deron got double-teamed and I got open in the middle and got an easy lay-in," Kirilenko said. "On the second one, I was in pretty much the same position and my guy went deep trying to help, but I stayed in the spot and made the shot."

Kirilenko bristled a bit when someone asked if he had any doubt about taking the wide-open shot.

"You media made me a jump shooter at the beginning of the season, but I've never been a jump shooter," he said. "I'm more of a driver, finish and go to the free-throw line. I made it, it was good, let's move on."

As for Game 7 Saturday night, Kirilenko believes the Jazz have a good chance of winning. He said the Houston crowd will make "maybe 1 percent advantage" for the Rockets.

"If we play as a team we'll be fine," he said. "I could score 14 points or three, it doesn't matter. I'm more excited about the W."

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