Utah Jazz v. San Antonio Spurs - Game Summary - Rocky Mountain Review Day 3

The Utah Jazz made a late run early in the fourth quarter outscoring the San Antonio Spurs 13 – 2; unfortunately it wasn’t enough as the Spurs held on and clinched their first win of the Revue. While neither team shot particularly well, San Antonio forced Utah into twenty-five turnovers by using a high pressure full court press defense; which produced twenty-five points for the Spurs.

San Antonio opened the quarter jumping out to a quick six to two lead; but as he did the previous game; Paul Millsap placed the Jazz on his shoulders and guided the offense. At one point, Paul was beating the Spurs 13 – 12 in the first quarter; and it looked as though the Paperboy was head and shoulders above the rest. By the end of the first quarter, Paul was two rebounds shy of a double-double; however the Spurs regained the lead and took and ended the period with an 18 – 17.

The Jazz closed the first quarter with only their big men scoring; and the Spurs began the second countering by going to a small ball lineup. Apparently the strategy worked as the Jazz immediately committed two turnover to start the period; leading the Spurs in the category at that point 10 – 0. As substitution patterns began; the Spurs took full advantage of the weaker competition and went on an 18 – 7 run during the period extending their lead 36 – 24. The Jazz fought but were only able to reduce the lead to eight by halftime; which San Antonio led 41 – 33.

Both teams came out flat in the third period, with neither team shooting over 40% from the field. The Spurs were only able to score fourteen; while the Jazz could only muster eleven points as the Spurs increased their lead 55 – 44. As my notes indicate; the Zebras were busy trying to make this game about them; there were forty-two fouls called through the third quarter.

The fourth quarter sparked an entirely new Jazz team, as the team opened going on a thirteen to two run, which briefly gave them a tie, before the Spurs called a timeout with 6:20 left to play. For the next four minutes the Jazz and Spurs would fight vigorously as they countered each other. Through the stretch Millsap played some of the toughest ball that I have seen; as he worked to ensure that Jazz would not lose. His effort was like Bruce Willis walking across the Glass in Die Hard; you knew that not matter what this guy wasn’t going to quit.

With 2:37 left the Jazz and Spurs were knotted at sixty-six; and you hoped that this game was going to have another fantastic finish. Unfortunately, a few ill timed turnovers and fouls left the Jazz down 72 – 67 with 27.2 seconds left; which they weren’t able to overcome. The Spurs celebrated their first win of the review with a victory over the Jazz 75 – 71.

As you may have gathered, Paul Millsap played out of his mind for the second straight game; he collected twenty points on eight of fourteen shooting while also going four for four from the line; which made him the high scorer for the game. As always; he was a beast on the boards pulling down fourteen; five offensive and nine defensive.

Both teams shot poorly for the game; the Jazz managed to muster 40.6% while the Spurs were only able to hit 37.3% of theirs. However, the difference in this game seems to be free throws and turnovers, the Spurs attempted eleven more free throws than the Jazz and also shot a better percentage at 73.7% versus 66.7%. For the third straight game the Jazz committed more turnovers (25) than their opponents (11); which provided San Antonio with 25 points versus only 17 for the Jazz. Other statistics of note; there were sixty-seven fouls called for the game leading to 65 foul shots. The Jazz out rebounded the Spurs 44 to 22; they also had 42 points in the paint to the Spurs 16.

A Little Deeper

Stats you aren’t likely to see anywhere else. If you need clarification on what the statistics mean refer to this post; which explains the terms.

Click on picture to enlarge

Really there isn’t much to discuss with these stats. Both teams played so poorly, that the lines are pretty low. The bright side for the Jazz was the play of Paul Millsap, who was really the star of the game. Second to Paul was Fesenko, who played really well, and was a big part of the fourth quarter run. It wasn’t mentioned above; but Fesenko may have been the spark; during a trip to the free throw line, he missed his second attempt, grabbed his own rebound as it came back out; and then came through the lane and emphatically dunked the ball. It was a great possession for him; and his game has really started to blossom as he has gotten more playing time.

Be back on Thursday with the game summary for the Sonics game. As well as the introduction of the Thursday rants, where I’ll talk about the stories making headlines; and give you my take. See you then.