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Jazz can't catch up in 4th
Classic San Antonio » Spurs use Tim Duncan excessively at game's end.
By Ross Siler
January 28, 2009
If there was any silver lining as the Jazz's season-high losing streak reached four games Tuesday night, it came with the knowledge that the San Antonio Spurs will be visiting EnergySolutions Arena only once this season.
The Jazz were able to withstand a barrage of Matt Bonner three-pointers, a tough call that sent them into halftime trailing and had them at an 11-point deficit in the third quarter. What did them in ultimately was a fourth quarter that could only be described as textbook Spurs.
With the Jazz coming up empty on seven consecutive possessions early in the quarter, San Antonio clawed to an eight-point lead and left the Jazz playing catch-up over the final eight minutes before falling 106-100.
"That was patented San Antonio," Matt Harpring said. "Every possession down the fourth quarter, they went in to Tim Duncan, they were methodical, and if Tim Duncan got doubled, he kicked it out for an open shot or he went one-on-one."
Not only did they lose for the sixth time at home this season, the Jazz (25-21) dropped a full game out of playoff position and now trail Denver, which beat Memphis, by 5 1⁄2 games in the Northwest Division.
They are 17-17 since Carlos Boozer went down with an injured left knee Nov. 19 and 0-4 since Andrei Kirilenko's right ankle flared up last week. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan described his team afterward as being "stretched out as far as we can go."
That the Jazz's losses have come to Houston, Cleveland, Denver and San Antonio provided little consolation to Ronnie Brewer. "We feel like if we're going to be one of the top teams, we've got to win some of them games," Brewer said.
Duncan totaled 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and could have had an even bigger night had he not missed 6 of 10 free throws. Bonner hit six three-pointers on the way to scoring 20 points. Yet it was Manu Ginobili who came through in the end.
The Jazz had closed to 94-93 with 1:26 left as C.J. Miles ripped the ball away from Ginobili for a steal and Paul Millsap ran for a layup on the fast break. But Ginobili answered by cutting for a layup off a Duncan pass at the other end.
It was Ginobili's first -- and only -- basket all night. He then stripped Brewer, was fouled and converted two free throws to put San Antonio ahead 98-93. Ginobili scored 10 of the Spurs' final 12 points and had 13 for the game.
The Jazz went into the fourth quarter tied 80-80 but quickly found themselves down by eight. The Spurs came out of a timeout with 8:46 remaining and took a 90-82 lead as Roger Mason hit a jumper and Duncan banked in a shot over Mehmet Okur.
Williams played 44 minutes and went the
Steve Luhm and Ross Siler offer more insight on the in their blog. distance in the second half as the Jazz tried to end their losing streak. All five starters played at least 38 minutes -- including a career-high 43 for C.J. Miles -- and the Jazz got only six points total from their bench.
The Jazz had a chance to take a lead into halftime, but Williams was forced out of bounds by Tony Parker with no foul called. The Spurs got back the ball and Bonner nailed a three-pointer with 0.5 seconds left for a 50-49 lead.
"I just jumped out of bounds because I felt like sitting on the [scorer's table]," Williams said, sarcastically. "Somebody should have thrown a beer at me."
The Jazz had been 12-0 against Western Conference teams at home before Tuesday's loss. The next chance to end their losing streak will come Friday at home against 10-35 Oklahoma City, who drilled the Jazz 114-93 on Jan. 14.
"They beat the mess out of us last time," Brewer said. "People always say you can pencil a win in. It's the NBA. I don't think they let any bums in the NBA, last I checked."
Spurs 106, Jazz 100
In short » The Spurs build an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter in sending the Jazz to a fourth-straight loss.
Key moment » Manu Ginobili cuts for a layup off a Tim Duncan pass with 1:08 left after the Jazz had made it 94-93.
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Timberwolves face the question of good player, bad team and the All-Star Game
By Jerry Zogda
January 27, 2009
MINNEAPOLIS - The Timberwolves have called upon ingenuity and bribery while promoting Al Jefferson for his first All-Star Game appearance.
Picking up where Portland left off this time last year with its "iRoy," the Wolves last week express-shipped every Western Conference coach a Global Positioning System programmed with highlight video and game-by-game statistics placed on a road map leading to Phoenix, site of next month's game.
But there's a bigger question than what a $200 gizmo can buy.
How much difference will a month make?
This time last year, the Wolves had won seven of 41 games and didn't turn around their season until Martin Luther King Day. This time, the Wolves reach the season's halfway point with 14 victories and a month's momentum since they ended a 13-game losing streak and embarked upon a stretch in which they have won 11 of 15 games.
Will it be enough for a fellow left home last season because his team won only a handful of games? "It's always good to win games," Jefferson said. "Last year, that had to be the reason why I didn't make it. I just wish we would have won a few more games this year."
All-Star Game reserves will be announced Thursday. Western Conference coaches must pick at least one more center to complement starter Yao Ming. Phoenix's Shaquille O'Neal and Jefferson appear to be the favorites for that other spot. O'Neal has four championship rings, 14 All-Star Game appearances and the home-team factor in his favor. His Suns also entered this weekend 23-17. O'Neal likely will make the team. Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol and New Orleans forward David West are the type of players on winning teams who could win a spot over Jefferson.
"Me being kind of old-school, if you're comparing players, my nod goes to the guy on the playoff-caliber team," Phoenix coach Terry Porter said. "It's not a knock on him. I think it's always easier to get good numbers on a bad team. Good teams, you have more options. I don't think there's a coach who votes who wouldn't want Al on their team.
Maybe at some point, they'll have 15 guys on a roster and everybody will have a chance to be an All Star."
Former NBA star Chris Webber made an impassioned plea for star players on bad teams during TNT's Thursday telecast announcing All-Star starters.
"I do have respect for guys who are winning and are averaging just as many as points as you are," Jefferson said. "But a guy who's not in the conversation just because his team isn't winning, I don't think that's fair."
Jefferson's defense often still is suspect, but his per-game averages of 22.2 points and 10.7 rebounds are better than Yao's, better than Shaq's, better than any other Western Conference center. Yes, Jefferson is asked to do more. He also faces defenses that collapse more often on him than probably anyone else.
The Trail Blazers last season distributed iPods with Brandon Roy's highlights and stats in a successful, deserved bid to make him an All Star. Wolves coach Kevin McHale said he doesn't like such campaigns, but the Wolves sent out the "Model No. 25: Double-Double Machine" GPS gadget anyway.
"Pretty much no," McHale said when asked if he approves of the ploy. "They get in on their own merits. Al's an All-Star player, I don't think there's any question about that.
Winning is something people should take into consideration, there's no doubt about that. I think Al deserves it, but that's for everybody else to vote on. He's going to make the All-Star team many, many times."
The question, of course, is when.
"If it happens, it'd be the best thing in the world," Jefferson said. "If it doesn't, I won't be mad, I won't be disappointed. I'll just work harder. Like Mac said, I'll get my chances. I believe that, too, once we get things turned around here."
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