Al Jefferson on fire as Utah Jazz decimate Detroit Pistons with final quarter surge – NBA Recap
The Utah Jazz produced a stunning fourth quarter display to outgun the Detroit Pistons 105 – 90 on Monday. The game was very close until the final period, and Utah’s surge proved decisive, sending the EnergySolutions Arena crowd into frenzy.
Al Jefferson stole the show on the night with a terrific double-double display. The Jazz centre had game high 33 points while he also hauled down 12 boards. It was an emotional night for Jefferson, whose grandmother had passed away the day before the game.
Al wanted to play though, and he said that’s what she would have wanted.
"I know that she wouldn't want me to not play. I know she wanted me to go out and play and do my job and that's what I did. My grandma is with me at all times -- both of them. They made me the man I am today. They were with me when I made mistakes and they
were with me when I did great."
Devin Harris was in sublime form, scoring 19 points and dishing out 8 assists to further Utah’s cause. C.J. Miles also did well, scoring 15 points off the bench.
The Pistons once again relied on in form guard Rodney Stuckey. Stuckey scored team high 29 points and had 7 assists. Greg Monroe scored 14 while Brandon Knight and Ben Gordon also made it into double digits.
The game simply got away from the Pistons at the end, and Stuckey didn’t have any complaints, saying the Jazz just made big shots.
"Down the stretch they made some crucial shots," said Stuckey.
"They probably made three or four 3-pointers with five seconds or less (on the shot clock) that really hurt us. Give them credit. They executed down the stretch."
The first quarter was closely contested. Neither team looked overly impressive; in fact, the pace was slow and scores remained close till the end. Utah finished ahead, 22 – 19.
The pace picked up in the second segment as the offences for both sides clicked. The Pistons had an early 11 – 2 run that put them ahead at 30 – 26. Utah countered with a 7 – 0 burst to retake the advantage, 35 – 32. They held on to it till the half time
break, going in at 52 – 48.
The 3rd quarter was largely unremarkable. The skirmishes continued throughout and both sides took turns attacking. In the end, the Pistons emerged stronger, and were at the better end of the score line before the penultimate period began 77 –
75.
Detroit then just simply fell apart. They were unable to withstand a barrage of attacks from the Jazz, who scored 30 points compared to just 13 from the Pistons. Miles hit two crucial ones from downtown and the momentum shifted completely, Jazz taking the
lead and cruising through to a 105 – 90 finish.
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