Make it 4 in a row? - Arven's Blog

Arven's Blog

Make it 4 in a row?

Posted on November 4, 2010 at 07:01 AM.

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[There are a few accounts missing - I'll add them later, but I'd like to do this while the game is relatively fresh in my mind.]

Staying at home has been good for the Jazz. Three wins in a row, but now they are headed onto the road for a back to back game against the Portland Trailblazers - and a reunion with former Jazzman Wesley Matthews.

Starting the first quarter the Blazers stay true to their name: While the Jazz are doing okay, the Blazers hit 75% of their shots behind 18 pts out of Batum and collect offensive rebounds on those they miss. 38 : 26 is the result of this slugfest, getting me edgy on my seat. Am I too tired? Were the past three wins just a fluke? Or are the Trailblazers simply too strong for me yet.

The start of the second quarter doesn't offer much in terms of improvement, especially Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge hit difficult shots with impunity. Then, with reserves coming in, the rhythm changes a bit. I continue to hit shots and the Blazers Charge trickles out a bit getting me to 57 : 61 before Brandon Roy hits a buzzer-beating three to send us into the half time break.

In this second quarter Kyrylo Fesenko made a good showing on the defensive end and after Jefferson collects his third foul just two minutes into the half I bring him in early and play him manually. And is he going to have a great game! While his statline will prove to be great, too, it's the intangibles like clogging up the middle or altering shots, and deflecting balls that changes that game.

Sensing blood in the water I opt for an unusual line up: Williams up front, Kirilenko/Hayward on the two, Evans on the small forward spot and Millsap/Jefferson and Fesenko behind them. The length on the floor proves to be too much to handle for the Blazers offensively and I stifle them to a 17 pts quarter. My own offense now is limited to inside action and apart from a few plays that get Deron into the paint I run the Pick & Roll extensively - for 35 points in all.

Going in to the fourth quarter with a resounding 92 : 81 lead I feel like I can bring this game to a good conclusion. No, Mr. Nate McMillan has other plans. His players, especially Camby, Rudy Fernandez and Brandon Roy incite yet another charge that give them the lead with 5:00 to play. I get nervous, but my "Soviets" defensive play (Fesenko with 3 blocks, Kirilenko with 2 and 3 steals) give me scoring opportunities that result in fast-break points that make Paul Millsap look like a certain Mailman.

I break the Blazers run and build another 10 point lead for myself that proves too much for Blazers to reach and the game ends at the 120 : 114.

Williams 29 pts, 3 reb, 18 ast, 4 stl on 13-21 shooting
Jefferson 28, 6 reb, 2 ast on 13-17
Millsap 14, 4 reb, 7-7
Fesenko 12, 8 reb, 3 blk, 6-8 in 29 minutes
Bell 11
Kirilenko 11, 7 rebs, 3 stl, 2 blk
Evans 8 pts, 3 reb
Hayward 6 pts, 1 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk on 2-7 shooting (0-3 from 3pt)

C.J. Miles was out with a turned ankle.

Brandon Roy 28
Nicolas Batum 27
Marcus Camby 18, 13 rebs
L. Aldridge 14

7-7