From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: Team looking to claim another division crown tonight
And a second-consecutive Northwest Division championship can be claimed tonight, either with a win at New Orleans or a Denver loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
It may not seem like much in the scheme of things, but don't for a second think either accomplishment is not held in high regard by the Jazz.
"It seems like it's a long haul," coach Jerry Sloan said prior to practice Monday morning, "but once you know you're gonna be in there it's a really good feeling."
That said, however, the 51-26 Jazz still eye other prizes with just five games remaining in their 2007-08 NBA season including tonight's visit with the Western Conference-leading New Orleans Hornets.
Some like leap-frogging not only 54-22 New Orleans, but also the 53-24 Los Angles Lakers, 53-24 San Antonio and 52-25 Houston, to finish first in the West and claim homecourt advantage until the NBA Finals seem at this point like a far-fetched stretch.
The Hornets, after all, are 3.5 games ahead of Utah in the current conference standings.
Others like securing homecourt advantage for at least the first round of postseason play remain much more realistic.
"There's a small chance that we can up to the No. 1 spot,"
All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer said. "But if we can't we'd like to have that homecourt (early on)."
"We're gonna try to win 'em all," added Korver, looking forward not only to tonight's game, but also those at Dallas on Thursday night, at home against Denver on Saturday night, at home against Houston on Monday night and at San Antonio on April 16.
"Then, wherever we're at the end of the season, that's where we're at."
As to the most-pressing of matters, however the goal is rather rudimentary.
"We've got to prove to ourselves that we can play (in New Orleans)," said Korver, memory of the Hornets' spanking of the Jazz earlier this season in the Big Easy obviously still fresh in his mind.
Utah which with a victory tonight would take the season series with the Hornets 3-1 fell 110-98 on Feb. 29 at New Orleans, a game in which the Jazz memorably trailed 38-15 after the opening quarter.
"We could very well be (in New Orleans) in the playoffs,"
Korver said, "so just finding some confidence and some rhythm in that gym is real important."
Recent comments
Thanks.
GO FAN, GO MEMO, GO JAZZZZZZ
Sinan | April 8, 2008 at 8:54 p.m.
Its past your Bed time..go to bed...go Jazz
Memo had a great...
Sina..go to bed | April 8, 2008 at 8:32 p.m.
Sinan is the real fan. I wish more fanz like Sinan for Jazz. GO AK....
Ak Fan | April 8, 2008 at 5:38 p.m.
- Sports on the air 1:21 a.m.
- 2009 MLS Cup recap 12:45 a.m.
- MLS Cup winners, MVPs 12:41 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 12:36 a.m.
- Paper circulation worse than it looks 12:28 a.m.
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks 12:22 a.m.
- Editorial: Cancer screening 12:15 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:15 a.m.
- Treat teachers with respect, trust 12:15 a.m.
- 'Reform' helps old, hurts young 12:15 a.m.
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Wendover airfield's legacy lost?
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
202 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
191 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
130 - BYU records with win
129 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
125 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
The Utah basketball team expected to win Saturday night, but not like this.
Real Salt Lake fans have watched first hand the evolution of Jason Kreis...
That game was amazing! I think this will really help the sport grow in Utah....
Congrats on a great win. Utah as a whole should be proud not just of a major...
Congrats Real Salt Lake! but, they aren't the first major sports team to...
I told ALL of you how much i liked NED Pure irony his contributions vs x...
this is to NevadaUTE @ 10:25!!! I love soccer, I love Real and it brought a...
wow!!! amazing. UTAH JAZZ DO SOMETHING!!!
So much fear and anger from Beck lovers. You all lost the last election, we...
This is the most emotion I have had watching a sporting event since my...
Nicky Rimando is my hero! I love that guy. He has had his detractors, but...
Two stars means nothing! We played as a team and it showed! I'm still in...


