Al Jefferson and Jarrett Jack dominate as Utah Jazz down New Orleans Hornets, 94-90: NBA Recap
Playing at the Energy Solutions Arena, Utah Jazz ended up winning a very closely fought affair against the New Orleans Hornets by a 94 - 90 margin. The game swayed back and forth throughout but the home team was able to get the
upper hand in the final quarter for the victory.
Al Jefferson was the leading light for Utah as the centre grabbed a team high 22 points and 6 rebounds. It was however a complete team effort by the Jazz who had 3 other players in double figures, including two from the bench and
starting point guard Devin Harris, who scored 19 points and had 5 assists.
Jarrett Jack was the main man for New Orleans Hornets with the point guard putting out a polished double-double display; 27 points and 11 assists. Jason Smith came off the bench for 16 points while newcomers Chris Kaman and Al-Farouq
Aminu provided 14 and 11 respectively.
With over 7 minutes left on the clock in the first quarter, the Hornets put together an 8 – 2 spurt that saw them get a grip on the lead, which they didn’t relinquish until after the quarter ended at 22- 18.
The home team came back strongly in the second period though, scoring a total of 32 points, including a 16 – 3 run that left New Orleans trailing in their wake. The Hornets though didn’t look overawed by the blitz and fought back
into contention before the first half closed at 50 – 47 to the Jazz.
New Orleans came out of the break determined to get back in the lead and they did so with an 11 – 4 burst to start the second half. The lead changed hands a few times again in the quarter as both teams refused to back down but
the visitors ended up on top when the quarter finished at 74 – 70.
The final quarter was just as exciting as the rest of the game and the teams went neck and neck for the most part. With just over 2 minutes remaining though, Devin Harris made a dagger three point shot that was followed by a Paul
Millsap dunk to put Utah up by 5 points and 55 second left on the clock.
Jarrett Jack made two more shots for New Orleans but Harris sank his free throws to give the Jazz a well earned 94 – 90 win.
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