From Deseret News archives:
Jazz winning close games; Boozer expecting fans' ire
Back before steamrolling Memphis and Sacramento, part of their ongoing five-game win steak, the Jazz also went down to the wire in wins over Seattle and Cleveland.
Against the Sonics, Deron Williams fed Carlos Boozer for the game-winner off a pick-and-roll. And against the same opponent they face again tonight, LeBron James and the Cavs who can forget so soon? Williams merely went the length of the floor for a winning final-seconds layup.
Living so dangerously, Boozer suggested after Utah's latest great escape, is not necessarily a bad thing.
"Eighty-five, 90 percent of the games in the NBA are gonna come down to the last three or four minutes," said Boozer, the Jazz's leading scorer with a 25.9 points-per-game average after putting up 23 against the Raptors. "There are not gonna be a lot of blowouts in the NBA.
"But," Boozer added, "that's good ... because that's what the playoffs are like. Playoffs are all close games."
So even though three of their last five victories have been by a combined eight points, Jazz teammate Andrei Kirilenko agreed, it all adds up to a positive sign.
BOOZER BACK: Boozer was showered with boos here back in March, when he played his first game since leaving the city and the Cavaliers for Utah under controversial contractual circumstances in 2004.
Fans even held signs that said "LIAR" and "BENEDICT BOOZER."
This time around, Boozer expects nothing less.
"I'm not worried about it," he said. "I'm sure it will be similar to last year."
And just how bad was it last season?
"For every fan that misses me," Boozer said at the time, "there are probably 10 or more that wish they could shoot me."
Boozer who maneuvered out of his contract with the Cavs and signed a six-year, $68 million deal with the Jazz wound up with a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double that night, but Cleveland beat Utah 82-73.
Injuries kept the power forward out of games against the Cavs during his first two seasons with the Jazz.
STYLE POINTS: Utah's 92-88 win at Toronto marked the first time this season that the Jazz have won without going over the century mark.
So it goes, Williams suggested, as the Jazz play out their first road game against Eastern Conference opponents, one which concludes with a Saturday visit to Indiana.
Recent comments
If you're at work and someone says to you, come work for me, I'll pay...
To Cleveland Fans | Nov. 17, 2007 at 12:03 p.m.
I am really upset at Carlos Boozer. I feel like Lebron needs more...
Cleveland Fan | Nov. 16, 2007 at 2:39 p.m.
i do not care that boozer, left, as amatter of fact i am a big boozer...
billyghetto's of cleveland | Nov. 16, 2007 at 2:33 p.m.
- Utes focus on game, not 'GameDay' 11:27 p.m.
- Writers contest deadline is Nov. 20 11:27 p.m.
- 4A: Thunderbirds dynasty lives on 11:26 p.m.
- RSL plans to attack early, often 11:25 p.m.
- 2 accused of nearly flattening officer 11:24 p.m.
- 4A: Brown plays big for Timpview 11:24 p.m.
- Photo: A feast for the poor 11:23 p.m.
- 4A: Springville 29, Dixie 21 11:12 p.m.
- ESPN suddenly loves MWC 11:10 p.m.
- 3A: Juan Diego 35, Wasatch 14 11:04 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
318 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
143 - Will state consider gay rights law?
137 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
119 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Utes remain silent about BCS
113 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
110
It's waaaaaayyyyy too early to have legitimate NCAA Tournament...
the line play happens like that when you have 5 WR with no extra help. ...
1 -1-2005 - FIESTA BOWL - Utah 35, Pittsburgh 7 12-29-2005 - Emerald Bowl -...
badger is a beast - nuff said
Amen. We should all be concerned if it is Army protocol to transfer a...
Should be a good exhibition type game for the Aggies to help them get ready...
I could take the legislature seriously if they cut their salary and benefits...
I'd love to have the Deseret News pay for me to eat at all these places. How...
i have never (in the last four years since my children started attending lone...
"The church is against all sexual encounters outside of marriage. True. But...
Congratulations coach Wong, Van Orden, etc. Way to have these boys prepared...

