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Game 22: Jazz 96 Lakers 87
Posted by: Jason Michael Crannell on February 4th, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.The Jazz snap a two game losing streak, and haven’t lost 3 straight games all season.
Earl Watson was spectacular off the bench, playing with a bum ankle, finishing with 11 assists, and 8 points. Utah’s bench was superb, after a subpar outing in Golden State. Josh Howard had 12 points, while the young combination of Kanter and Favors combined for 22 points and 14 rebounds. Bell played solid defense on Kobe Bryant, but Kobe still poured in 26 points.
The Lakers frontline of Gasol and Bynum were terrific. Bynum had 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Gasol had 24 points and 16 rebounds.
The Lakers bench was just awful.
Harris really struggled, and unlike past games, didn’t get put back into the game in the fourth quarter. Corbin elected to stay with Watson, and it was the right choice.
Al Jefferson scored 18 points, and had 13 rebounds, while Paul Millsap had 16 points, and 13 rebounds.
A much needed win by the Jazz, before going out on the road.
Jazz Player of the Game: Earl Watson
Replies: 17
Views: 364
17 Responses
Want able to watch the game down here in Phoenix tonight, how did Hayward do????
Good game tonight and it begs the question, is Utah better served with Watson running the point? Harris is the better scoring gaurd, but it seems Watson has a way better command of the ofense.
Kanter and Favors also really impressed tonight with some good defense on Bynum and Gasol. Kanters developing some post moves and has looked much more comfortable down on the block as of late. good win.
I think Watson makes more sense with the 2nd unit, Jefferson and Millsap can get their own shots, while Kanter, Evans, Favors rely much more on other players delivering them the ball in the right spots in order to score. Not that a better assist-minded PG wouldn’t benefit Al and Paul (Lowery, Calderon, Nash?), but IMO Earl helps the bench much more than Devin’s low assists hurt the starters.
@jazzman
Hayward played more minutes than anyone and took less shots than anyone. Had 7 points on 2-3 shooting.
I agree with the Kanter and Favors assessment. They are starting to come into their own. It will be interesting to see how things work out if they continue to improve this season. Evening out the minutes a bit more with all 4 bigs can keep them all rested and battle ready.
Hayward did pretty well, it was mentioned that he may have guarded Kobe as well as anyone else on the team. His numbers don’t show much since tonight his game was mostly a defensive effort and contributed to Kobe shooting 8 less shots than his usual game average.
A win over the Lakers always makes my day.
@KCJones- I like your point about not needing a creative point guard with Millsap and Jefferson.
I agree A.G. My day is going to end so well tonight now that the Jazz have beat the Lakers! It is the best thing in Basketball for me when the Jazz beat the Lakers! Well it is the best until the Jazz win a Championship, then that will be the best thing in Basketball!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO JAZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Jason, dude you neglected to mention that Mike Brown got tossed from the game! That was freakin outrageous. What kind of fine do you think Stu Jackson is going to slap him with? Verbal abuse of an official is $75,000 if I’m not mistaken. But there’s also the fact that Brown bumped and made physical contact with the ref to boot.
Does anyone know if that equals a one game suspension? Remember when that one ref goaded Jerry Sloan into pushing him by getting in his face? Sloan got tossed and got a huge fine if I’m not mistaken. Hopefully Brown gets suspended, heheh.
Any misery the Lakers feel is pure joy for a Jazz fan!
Kanter and Favors looked good tonight. If both of them can be consistent on offense like tonight every night that will really help the Jazz and make it tough on opponents.
I’d like to know who this guy is that did the laser treatment on Earl. I got two shot knees, a bad hip and a bulging disc in my lower back that could use some repair….
Loved Kanter and Favors’ solid D tonight. Here is to the BASH BROTHERS of this generation. May they have long, successful, and championship laden careers in the great state of Utah. Cheers!
Hell yes, a win over the Lakers is always fantastic.
Suck it Kobe!
last game when hayward didn’t cover kobe kobe had 40 this game when hayward covered him for a lot of the game he had 26—a 14 point difference in scoring for kobe is the difference between winning and losing
great win, and I loved that corbin stayed with Watson down the stretch … Watson played 26 minutes, Harris played 21 … really the split could be more like 33/15 – Harris doesn’t seem like he wants to play, watson does.
I was loving Favors and Kanter last night too. On a couple occasions Kanter showed some extremely quick feet with spin moves and pump fakes in the post. I think learning from Jefferson is going to help that kid quite a bit. Then there is Favors. When he wants to be he is nearly unstoppable in the post. If he picks up any of Millsap’s work ethic at all he is going to be perennial all star.
Watson should stay with the second unit because no other player could get so very much out of the kids. Don’t mess with the chemistry.
WATSON!!!!!!!