Utah Jazz: Kyle Korver hot from long range in 4th quarter

SALT LAKE CITY — Jazz fans might remember the pivotal part of Wednesday's win when Kyle Korver looked like he was participating in the NBA's 3-point shooting contest.

The perfectionist in Korver, however, recalls what happened before he went off from long range in the Jazz's 102-93 victory over Charlotte.

"Until the fourth quarter, I didn't think (my night) was very good," Korver said. "I thought my defense was pretty poor. I missed a couple of free throws, missed a layup, had bad turnovers."

Korver's fourth-quarter flurry from afar made up for any misdoings.

With the Jazz hanging on to a slim lead in the fourth, Korver drained a 3-pointer to put Utah up 82-77.

Two minutes later, the sharpshooter sank another long ball — after he rebounded his previously missed shot — to cap off a 10-2 run and extend the Jazz lead to 87-79 midway through the final period.

On the Jazz's next possession, Korver added a third trey in three minutes after chasing down a blocked shot.

For good measure, Korver added a fourth fourth-quarter 3-ball with 1:46 remaining.

"In the fourth quarter they were loading up on Booz and Deron," Korver said, "and I was able to knock down some shots."

Enough so that he ended up scoring 18 points — nicely complementing the 33 from Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams' 20. That is the second-most Korver, who's dealt with a knee injury much of the season, has scored during all year.

"I'm not out there trying to force up shots," Korver said, "just kind of reading whatever they give me."

With the Bobcats concentrating on Boozer, Wednesday happened to be the perfect storm for his long-range touch.

"If they're going to let Booz go one-on-one then I won't get looks that night. But we'll take one-on-one with Booz," Korver said. "If they're going to load up on Deron, then those are the nights when I get more shots, and tonight I got a few more."

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan liked that the 3-point shots came within the flow of the offense, especially because the Jazz were playing from the inside-out.

Interestingly, Korver hit 5-for-6 from outside compared to just 1-of-5 shooting inside the arc.

Paul Millsap credited Korver for spreading the Bobcats' defense and sparking the Jazz.