Another Magical win for Jazz
3-POINT SHOTS from one of the Utah Jazz’s best all-around wins of the season, a 117-105 thumping of the Orlando Magic on Friday night:
POINT 1: Deron Williams was solid throughout the game, scoring 32 points with nine assists and only two turnovers. But his third quarter was as good as it gets. The All-Star point guard scored 16 points, and either scored or assisted on every Jazz basket in the quarter as Utah seized momentum by outscoring Orlando 24-15.
“Deron Williams took a close game, to it over right away in the second half,” Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. “He dominated us.”
POINT 2: For the second time in a month, the Jazz did a remarkable job containing Dwight Howard, allowing him only 14 points. That, by the way, is all he scored against Al Jefferson and the Jazz in Utah’s win at lat month Orlando as well, which is seven points below his season average.
Between zoning the Magic, staying between the basket and Howard and double-teaming him, Orlando’s star looked anything but like Superman. Again.
“They did a good job on Dwight,” Van Gundy said. “They did a very good job on blocking shots on him and getting turnovers.”
Jefferson and Andrei Kirilenko each had three blocks, including several of Howard’s shots.
Big Al said he was “just trying to keep my body between him and the basket. I know Dwight. He’s a monster when he’s near that rim. So what I try to do is try to make him shoot over me, make him take tough shots.”
Added Kirilenko: “We paid attention. Our big guys did a great job. They didn’t let him get those quick shots, those quick layups right away and kind of held him until the help arrived. We double-teamed and tried to avoid those positions when he’s alone playing one-on-one with our big guys.”
POINT 3: Gordon Hayward didn’t fill up the stat sheet in his second-ever start, going scoreless on 0-for-1 shooting with two rebounds, one turnover and four fouls. But Vince Carter (17 points) didn’t put up a career night while being guarded by the rookie, either.
“It was fun,” Hayward said. “We won and it was a good game. I wish I could play Vince Carter again after learning what he does, some of the different things. But it was a good challenge and I learned a lot from it.”
Watch for Hayward to be even more aggressive and active in pursuing shots when he gets more comfortable in the offense.
AND ONE: The Jazz quickly turned their focus onto Dallas after downing Orlando. Last week’s blowout loss to the Mavericks in Utah remains fresh on their minds, so they’re excited for tonight’s quick rematch.
“They came in our home building and (stole) a win from us,” Jazz power forward Paul Millsap said. “I think we’re going to have a lot of energy (tonight), come out and try and get that win.”