From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: Thunder rolled as Sloan gets historic win
Sloan wasn't so sure he'd make it that far, especially after enduring the toll of ebb and flow in a 104-97 win over Oklahoma City on Friday night at sold-out EnergySolutions Arena.
"I'm just trying to get the next one," said Sloan, whose Jazz now 5-0 for the first time since the start of the 2000-01 NBA season, and for just the third time in franchise history open a five-game road trip on Sunday at New York.
With such a meaningful milestone at stake in this one, though, the Jazz really did want to take care of business.
That much was evident with a 21-0 run in the first quarter their answer to a 10-3 start from the relocated and renamed Seattle Sonics, now known as the Thunder.
By the time the second quarter was done, the Jazz lead stood at 58-29 and the only question to be answered seemed to be whether Sloan might get recognized for his accomplishment at halftime or between the third and fourth quarters.
As it turned out, though, Oklahoma City (1-4) wasn't about to make it so quite so easy for a Jazz club that played its fifth straight game without injured point guard Deron Williams.
"Everything kind of fell in place for us. The game became a little easy," he said. "But then you try to tell them at halftime the second half's not gonna be like the first half.
"You see that a lot of times," Sloan added. "You go out and score 50, 55 points, and think you're gonna have the same kind of play the second half. And invariably the other team is gonna switch that around."
The Thunder did just that, chipping away at the Jazz's comfy cushion and getting to within eight points three times in the fourth quarter something Sloan called "a little disheartening."
But after the second such occassion, at 86-78 midway through the period, Jazz sixth man Andrei Kirilenko who finished with a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double answered with a couple free throws that ignited a 13-3 run.
Kirilenko closed the run by blocking a Kevin Durant shot and getting the ball to point guard Brevin Knight, who passed ahead to 21-point team-higher scorer Carlos Boozer for an open dunk that made it 99-80.
The Thunder, who trailed by as many as 31 early in the third quarter, did make the margin a not-so-embarrassing seven with a last-second jumper from Earl Watson.
Recent comments
The crowd started chanted Jerry's name at the end of the game but he...
Henry Drummond | Nov. 8, 2008 at 2:29 p.m.
There's no room for "easy schedule" talk in the NBA. If you want the...
J Spence | Nov. 8, 2008 at 1:26 p.m.
thanks to an easy schedule, the jazz are undeafeated and 3 games up...
bob carlisle | Nov. 8, 2008 at 9:47 a.m.
- MLB notes: Winter Meetings activity 9:24 p.m.
- Man sentenced in W. Jordan homicide 9:19 p.m.
- Psychologist: Mitchell schizophrenic 9:16 p.m.
- Grizzlies loan forward to AHL team 9:15 p.m.
- Tony Finau reaches Disney finale 9:13 p.m.
- 5 officers lose their certification 9:13 p.m.
- WWII vet returns Hitler's art album 9:12 p.m.
- Basic Sports Training clinic Saturday 8:57 p.m.
- Jennings scores 22 against Raptors 8:54 p.m.
- Green Bay knocks off Wisconsin 8:52 p.m.
- Hot Rod behind mic for Lakers
- Cougars use depth to beat ASU
- Max Hall wants to look ahead
- Non-BCS schools not given fair shot
- Panel passes BCS playoff bill
- Psychologist: Mitchell schizophrenic
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
- Small plane crashes near Lehi
- Snow brings big chill
- Jazz go up against 'the best'
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
292 - Letters: Global warming a lie
228 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
178 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
147 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
138 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
121 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
119 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
100
Four WAC schools earned invitations to bowl games this year and, since...
Kealia Ohai recently earned some national recognition ...
leave beck alone ; he probably has more courage than most timid ones who are...
I don't begrudge the Church in Mexico Miguel's spirit and skills, nor do I...
What we need is a street full of bars our families can take US to. Now that...
We can count on the Deseret News to rely on old stale bromides and bow to the...
Of Tina Fey, but have never really gotten into 30 Rock. Please run for...
Pitta is a great competitor who has a bright future in the NFL. He will be...
haha reminds me of "A Christmas Story" funny!
I have watched soaps for many years and record The Young and Restless and As...
on a well deserved honor. One of the best in a long line of great BYU TEs.
To clarify my earlier comment, on Celebrating giving gifts "from Santa" is...


