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Game 47: Jazz 86, Blazers 77
Posted by: TACOREV on February 2nd, 2013
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.The Jazz take game one of a two-game series with Portland (23-23, 7-15).
Jefferson scored 21 points on 22 shots, with 10 rebounds, and knocked down a couple big shots down the stretch to help the Jazz hold the lead. Millsap scored 15, Foye had 14 & 7, and Carroll pitched in with 13.
Damian Lillard led the Blazers in his return to the Beehive State, finishing with 26 & 5. LaMarcus Aldridge’s 16 & 10 and J.J. Hickson’s 11 & 6 also highlighted Portland’s leaders, along with former Jazzman Wesley Matthews’ nine points.
Kanter continues to see his minutes dwindle, playing just six tonight.
Meanwhile Jefferson’s minutes are increasing, and we can only hope he’s being showcased for trade talks. We know the Jazz tried to extend Millsap, which would be a good move whether we end up trading him or not, but I don’t recall ever hearing about contract talks with Jefferson. It’s seeming likely that the FO intends to trade him — if they can find someone to take him, and assuming they can get what value they expect in return.
Watson sustained another injury, this time to his leg, and apparently will not make the trip to Portland in order to undergo an MRI. Corbin is most likely in full-on panic right about now.
With the Blazers falling to .500, does this count as a win over a West team with a winning record, Omar?
The Jazz improve to a season-best five games above .500, 26-21, with a rematch tomorrow night in Portland.
Jazz player of the game: Al Jefferson
Replies: 13
Views: 392
13 Responses
Jefferson’s minutes were ridiculous. Id almost give the player of the game to DMC. batum being held to single digits is quite spectacular in my opinion. tomorrow will be very interesting, if Kanter doesnt get good minutes in a B2B with al playing 36 plus today there is something wrong
21 points on 22 shots, isn’t that what Mr. Locke would call an inefficient night? I am perfectly fine with Al going hard to the rim, but I am not fine at all with him taking jump shots unless he has really hot hands, which was not the case today.
Hard minute cut for Enes. But what can he do better? If I were him, I would avoid iso play at all in his limited minutes, only if it is really abusive match up. It would suck to see him turn the ball over and give coach justification to bench him, not that he needs one as we can see. Just play hard, hustle, rebound move the ball, be ready.
If Earl is not playing, hopefully Burks can show some solid play, this is his chance. I am not sure, but I think Earl was playing a little better, read did not suck as much, in last few games, but his patented hopping dribble is killing me. Any news about Gordon? I would really like to see Burks/Foye/Hayward line up in action again.
@Taco. I really enjoy your posts and discussions under them. Just a random thank you from a stranger.
Yea, and I forgot to add, I am happy we won.
I’ve said it for a long time. Al is valuable late in games (if his lack if defense doesn’t make him a defensive liability), but he really shouldn’t be getting as many minutes or taking as many shots as he does during the first 42 minutes I f the game. Give Kanter more of those minutes. A 36-6 minute split for Al-Kanter is pretty ridiculous, IMO, especially considering Kanter’s production and need for development.
Have to play kanter more this is ridiculous!
Looks like Matthews is really hitting the injury bug this year.Watson will not travel with team. YES!! Hate to say that but it might be a means to an end..Only eleven healthy players tonight.
@Taco, ya it should count as a win against West team with a winning record. But I think as the season goes on will see its truer value.
Lillard was eating Watson’s lunch all game. Burned right by him, and absolutely not resistance from the interior Jazz D. How many times did Lillard just blow by at about 3 point land and get to the rim with no one stopping him?! I really liked how Corbin adjusted by benching Watson in the 4th so that Watson O & D deficiencies wouldnt be exploited as Blazers went on a monster run……..oh wait, Watson got hurt?! Oh, geez, I guess its better to be lucky than good, right Corbin. Lol.
Ya Al made some shots at the end of the game, but from the 11:30 up until the 1:29 minute, Al missed 4 shots and played pretty bad D. In that period of 10 minutes, when the Blazers were rolling offensively, it was Watson, Burks, and Foye that scored not Al. Al scored when the Jazz were up seven. Ya Al hit the dagger last night, but Al was a no show for about 80% of the 4th quarter—and thats on offense! Nevermind the P&R dunks being allowed to Blazers bigs and Lillard by Al (while Al was in the game the Blazers FG were either Lillards 2 three pointers or shots 2 feet and in; in addition Hickson fouled on layup attempt, so really all points at rim or Lillard 3 which is a good shot for him).
In the 3rd quarter it was Foye series of threes that kept the Blazers at bay. In the 3rd quarter when the Blazers were making comback scoring pretty easily, Al played the whole 3rd quarter and missed every shot he took (4) not scoring until :44 seconds in the quarter!! So when Jazz need to answer the Blazers run…..it wasnt Al that did. But people highlight the dagger FG, and Al is worth his wieght. But when you look at the Jazz needed a bucket to stop opposing teams run and momentum, Al really isnt there offensively—-and his P&R defense is pretty frightful.
Marvin and Millsap set the tone early.
Even our wins feel like losses. This team is dreadfully awful to watch. I haven’t watched an entire Jazz game since we played the Heat, and that’s only because I was at that game.
My life used to revolve around watching the Jazz. Now I don’t even care if I miss 5 games in a row. Why? Because it’s the same sh*t every game. Boring. Predictable.
Every game. Young, exciting talent wastes away on the bench, development is stunted, potential cannot even be assessed, let alone surpassed, with how little they play. KOC’s and Corbin’s inherent distrust and contempt of young players is impossible to fathom.
I’m so sick of hearing of Corbin, Locke, KOC, Lindsey and that idiot Randy Rigby talk about how the young guys aren’t good enough to play. Then why did you even draft them you morons? What’s the goddamn point? If you’re not going to play them, and you’re not going to develop them, why are they here? They’re just wasting their time, and they;re wasting the fans time as well.
The Jazz had to GIVE AWAY 300 tickets to last nights game to get people to come. And guess what? They came to see Damian Lillard play. They did not come to see Earl Watson, Marvin Williams, and Al Jefferson.
I’m so sick of watching the Al Jefferson and Tyrone Corbin show. It sucks. It’s boring. It’s uninspiring, mediocre basketball. It’s predictable, monotonous, incorrigble.
I’m now convinced that the blame should not even by on Tyrone Corbin, but on those idiots in the front office.
#firekevinoconnor
I agree with you taco. Al is not in the FO’s future plans. He will either be traded or dumped at the end of the season. Most likely at the end of the season because in order to do a deal with him now it will most likely will have to involve one of the c4 and don’t think they wanna break up the c4.
In a side note: Did anyone else catch that little article that Kanters minutes are dwindling as of late and it was an interview with Corbin talking about that and he assured that kanter will get more minutes. I think it was on espn but I’m not sure because its gone now.
My comments keep getting deleted. wtf?
Dont get me wrong but I think that you have to blame the other bigs as well as Jefferson that were in the game when Lilard was gettin to the rack uncontested , yes I think that he should put more effort in his defense , but to lay all blame on him is just not a fair assement .
Yes it is frustrating to see him put up shots outside the paint when his shot is not falling or when there is someone that is more open , but I feel this team needs to learn to trust eachother better .
@ Nick knows all it is sad that you are that frustrated that you cannot even watch the games . I mean that is what being a fan is all about even if we have to endure the kinds of games we see with this group . I feel some of your frustrations as well but I still will not miss any games . I am so glad that I can at least see it on Roots Sports , other wise I would not get to watch any of them living here in Pocatello , Idaho .
Also I am concerned that Jefferson played like all of the 2nd half with a b2b in progress . It might mean he will be to tired to play good 2nite .
Lets go Jazz !!!!!!! I still beleive in you .
@Nick
I’ve long been skeptic of Kevin O’Conner, since about the time he allowed this team to be cursed with AK’s preposterous contract (from which we are still struggling to recover). If the trade deadline comes and goes with no activity, I will be onboard that #FireKOC bandwagon.