Utah Jazz go on offensive, take Northwest Divison lead

SALT LAKE CITY — They didn't have much of a defense.

But the Jazz did make a great case that sometimes it's OK to be offensive and help yourself to whatever's available, which is precisely what they did in beating the New York Knicks 103-98 Monday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

The 49-26 Jazz helped themselves to an eighth straight win at home while improving to 27-2 there when scoring 100-plus.

They did it behind double-doubles from Carlos Boozer (26 points, 14 rebounds), Deron Williams (23 points, 14 assists) and Paul Millsap (14 points, 10 boards) — Boozer's 50th this season, Williams' 41st (it came before the first half was finished, something he's done three times this season) and Millsap's seventh.

They helped themselves by handing the 26-47 Knicks yet another loss, beneficial because Utah owns New York's 2010 NBA Draft lottery selection — and every Knicks defeat means a better chance for the Jazz to land a decent pick.

But, most importantly, they helped themselves move smack dab into first place in the NBA's Northwest Division — one game ahead of 48-27 Denver, which because of its 109-93 loss at Dallas on Monday actually slipped from third place to fifth place in the wacky Western Conference behind now fourth-place Phoenix.

It's the first time the Jazz — who are third in the West behind the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas — have led the division this season, and the first time since after games played on March 24, 2009.

"I'm glad we got the lead right now," said Boozer, dressed afterward in a photo-op T-shirt that read "CLINCHED" to signify the fact that on Sunday Utah notched its 24th postseason appearance in 27 years.

"Seven games left," Boozer added with reference to what little remains of the Jazz's 2009-10 season. "If we can hold onto it, it would be a big honor."

Boozer suggested he had no doubts about being able to pass Denver, saying, "All that matters is end-of-the-season record."

Fortunately for the Jazz, all that mattered Monday was that they won against a Knicks club that's now lost four straight in Utah.

Not how.

"They (the Knicks) put a lot of pressure on our ability to shoot the ball," said coach Jerry Sloan, whose Jazz at times seemed befuddled by a Knicks' zone.

"The other thing," Sloan added, "is we had a terrible time defensively early on."