Jazz come up short in Beantown

Utah Jazz

Sports Commentator Patrick Blake is host of the Blake’s Take show, airing weekdays from 5-6 p.m. on KZNU Sports Radio Southern Utah Sports Network – 96.7 FM 1450 AM – with live stream online at http://www.KZNUsports.com.

COMMENTARY – The Utah Jazz fought back from down double digits to tie the game but couldn’t ever get over the hump against the Boston Celtics, losing to the Celtics 94-82 last night in Boston.

The Jazz trailed by as many as 18 points in the second half but went on a 17-3 run to get back in the game. The Jazz would later tie the game in the fourth quarter but couldn’t ever retake the lead.

As soon as the Jazz tied the game, the Celtics went on a 7-0 run of their own to take a 7-point lead at put the game away.

The Jazz shot out of the gate, leading by six midway thru the first quarter but fell apart in the second quarter only scoring 14 points wile giving up 28 points.

The Jazz trailed by 11 at the half. The Jazz leading scorer was 1-8 from the floor in the first half, going against his rival Kevin Garnett.

Jefferson was traded to Minnesota for Garnett in 2007 and the two haven’t gotten along since. The two went at it all night including getting technical fouls at the same time.

Garnett and Jefferson each had double-doubles. Garnett scored a game high 23 points while grabbing 10 rebounds for the Celtics while Jefferson put in 18 points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds for the Jazz.

Paul Pierce added 20 points and Brandon Bass helped out with 19 points for the Celtics who were playing without their starting shooting guard Ray Allen. Allen missed his fourth straight game due to a sore ankle.

The Jazz held the Celtics star point guard in check for most of the night, Rajon Rondo only scored six points but handed out 14 assists.

Neither team had any bench players in double figures, the Jazz bench outscored the Celtics bench 21-17. The Jazz only had three players off the bench score led by Alec Burks who chipped in nine points.

Gordon Hayward scored a team high 19 points for the Jazz while having one of his best games of the year. Hayward also pulled down seven rebounds and handed out five assists along with two blocks. Paul Millsap added 16 points.

The Jazz once again struggled from deep, only making three 3-point baskets all game. The Jazz are one of the worst teams in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage.

Even thought the Jazz come home with a 1-2 record on their three game road trip not all is bad. The Jazz showed a ton of heart in their four overtime loss and the win the next night in New Jersey was amazing considering most of the team had played over 50 minutes the night before.

The Jazz return home to take on Jimmer Fredette and the Sacramento Kings tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Energy Solutions Arena.

The Jazz fall into a three-way tie for seventh place in the Western Conference with Houston and Denver.

For more JAZZ TALK talk, tune into Blake’s Take weekdays from 5-6 p.m. on KZNU Sports Radio – 93.1 FM 1450 AM – or online streaming live on the brand new KZNU Sports website: www.kznusports.com

[email protected]

Twitter:  @BlakesTake

Copyright 2012 St. George News.

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