My Take: Jazz vs Nuggets

Posted by David Locke on October 29, 2008

SUMMARY

Boozer was big time and that is what you have to have when Deron is out.
That is a tough win without Deron.  To be in a every possession game without your leader is a tough task to open the night.
Price wasn’t great but he didn’t throw up on himself and cost the team the game.  He controlled the game and did what he was supposed to do.  The Jazz were +13 when Price was on the floor.
AK had the night we envisioned when it was talked about him coming off the bench.  He was tremendously active.  He had 16 points; 6 rebounds; 3 assists; 2 blocks and a steal.
The bench was terrific today.  35 points off the bench; 14 rebounds; 6 assists. 
Ronnie Brewer played very well. 
A double double for Memo and some very nice powerful moves.

FINAL SCORE – JAZZ 98 NUGS 94

Boozer was big late.  With the score 91-90, Price drove and gave it up in traffic and Boozer was able to scoop it off floor and into the hoop for the bucket and his 5th straight point in the stretch.
Jazz got a huge break as Korver missed a free throw but they ruled a lane violation and Korver hit the third free throw.
Price hit two clutch free throws to keep the Jazz up 3.

:26 left 4th Quarter – Jazz 91 Nuggets 90

Boozer has gone to the line the last two possession and has hit 3 of 4 free throws.
Nugs are living off a high pick and roll with AI and whoever is there big.
Possession by possession game without Deron and Jazz don’t look comfortable.
From the 5 minute mark on the Jazz scored on just 4 of 9 possessions
Neither team is able to execute and score down the stretch without their scoring stud.
Sloppy play – looks like both teams could be tired in the opener.
Jazz in the penalty at the 3:17 mark 

5:54 4th Quarter – Jazz 82 Nugs 82

Kyle Korver is trying to guard JR Smith and Smith is shooting everytime down the floor. 
The Jazz should have gotten more separation in this game, it could get nerve racking. 
Knight is struggling a bit this go around.
Boozer enters at the 6:52 mark – he has been the man (20/13) he will need to carry the mail home.
Korver is not playing well – he just had a sloppy turnover.
The Jazz have no urgency.  They need a leader right now. 

End of 3rd Quarter – Jazz 75 Nuggets 67

Good quarter by the Jazz. The Nugs were really out of sorts and the Jazz could be up by a lot more.  Part of me is concerned that they just missed the opportunity.
I don’t feel like Price is playing very well, he is missing shots that have to be made.  However, the Jazz are +13 when he is on the floor.
If this game gets close it could be interesting to see how the Jazz are able to execute down the stretch without Deron.
Boozer has been big tonight – 20 points and 13 rebounds

7:16 3rd Quarter—Jazz 58 Nugs 50

I feel like the game is in the balance the Jazz could run away with this one but Price has had two bad possessions, a missed three off a Memo double team and a sloppy turnover.  That was followed by a CJ Miles turnover when he tried to run a pick and roll.   The Nugs are really unfocused right now and the Jazz just missed a prime opportunity.
Ronnie Brewer is playing well – he is doing a nice defensive job on Iverson.

Halftime – Jazz 50 Nuggets 46

Jazz offense has been pretty good at 52% shooting. This is more a comment on the Nugs defense than a comment about the Jazz offense.
AK had the performance we would hope coming off the bench. 8 points 3 rebounds 2 assists.
Iverson and Martin both have 10 points. Boozer leads the Jazz 14 points and 7 rebounds.
We knew turnovers would be an issue the Jazz have turned it over on 21% of their possessions so far.
Jazz are winning the battle of the boards as they are getting 35% of the potential offensive rebounds.

5:22 2nd Quarter — Jazz 40 Nuggets 35

Ronnie Price is really having a struggle at the point guard tonight both offensively and defensively. He just got a blow by from Anthony Carter.
The Jazz interior defense is not noticeable any better than a year ago. Some of the help on the perimeter looks a bit better and with a good effort.
The Jazz offense does not have the flow without Deron.
The Nugs are missing shots I would assume they would make.
Memo had a really good powerful post move over Nene. That is a big boy to overpower.

End of 1st Quarter – Jazz 28 Nuggets 27
In Boise all the players talked about Paul Milsap being slimmer and more agile he showed with a drive from the top of the key for a nice layup.
Brevin Knight is a good solid player and he plays the game very astutely.
AK has been very active off the bench. He has been involved both offensively and defensively. However, he is still AK and there are those moments.

5:42 1ST Quarter – Jazz 14 Denver 12
AK enters off the bench at the 6:56 mark (Jazz leading 14-11). Jazz 1st play is a high weave to get him involved.
Ronnie Brewer had two nice drives from the wing.
CJ Miles ended up with Iverson guarding him and the Jazz cleared out and hit rose for a 17 footer that he nailed. On defense the Nugs went after CJ with Kleiza and drew two fouls.
Boozer has been active and playing the way you would want him to since Deron is out of the game

Numbers
Nuggets were the #1 pace team in the NBA last year — Jazz were the 10thJazz were #1 offensive team in efficiency, the Nugs were 11thThe Jazz were the #12 defensive team and the Nugs were the 10th.Keys to the Game1. Limit the turnovers by the Jazz players who aren’t used to having the ball2. Prevent an explosion off the bench by the Nuggets3. Patience offensively not falling into the trap of bad quick shotsOfficialsGreg WillardJason Phillips Tony Brown
AK enters off the bench at the 6:56 mark (Jazz leading 14-11). Jazz 1st play is a high weave to get him involved.

1 Comment

Clint on October 30, 2008 said:

That was a fun game to go to. There is a lot of stuff the Jazz need to improve on if they want to win games against higher-caliber teams such as Boston, and LA.

All in all, I am happy with the W.

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