Al Jefferson propels Utah Jazz to a 94-85 win over Memphis Grizzlies – NBA Update
Al Jefferson scored 20 points and 9 rebounds and Paul Millsap followed with 14 points, 8 boards and 4 assists as Utah Jazz handed Memphis Grizzlies their first loss, 94-85, in three games without talisman Zach Randolph.
With Zach Randolph out, the Grizzlies were expected to get a tough challenge from Utah Jazz. They were also not helped by some scoreless stretches and the 20 turnovers on the night. Marc Gasol had a big night with 21 points, 11
rebounds and six blocks for Memphis, who also got 21 from Tony Allen and 17 from Rudy g*y. However, the biggest disappointments on the night were Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo. The duo had a disastrous shooting night and combined for only 18 points on an 8-of-29
shooting.
The Jazz shot at 50.7 percent in the game and got 13 points from Josh Howard off the bench and 11 apiece from Devin Harris and Earl Watson.
The game started with a 6-2 Grizzlies run, but the Jazz found their zone quickly and raced away to a 14-13 lead on a Paul Millsap jump shot with 6:37 left in the first quarter. Marc Gasol missed a shot on the ensuing possession,
but after a Gordon Hayward miss at the other end, he made a jumper to initiate an 11 point unanswered run in which Rudy g*y scored 5 and Tony Allen had 4.
Trailing by 24-14 that early in the game, the Jazz keyed by Earl Watson responded with an 8-2 run to end the first period at 22-26.
They kept on pressing the Grizzlies in the second and pulled off another 8-2 run, midway through the frame, to make it a one point game, 38-39. In the passage that followed, Grizzlies scored 4 points on a trot, only to see an eight
point spurt from the Jazz. Memphis however capped the first half with a 4-0 burst and went into the break with a 47-45 lead.
Al Jefferson tied the game early in the third, but g*y erupted with seven points in response and the Grizzlies jumped out to a 54-47 lead. Memphis maintained their advantage going into the last four minutes of the frame, but then
committed three turnovers and missed all four field goal attempts, allowing Jazz a 10-0 run to end the period at 67-64.
Memphis tried to slash the deficit and closed in at 68-69 within the first three minutes of the fourth, but following a trend in the game, they froze completely in the next three minutes or so, and the result was another unchallenged
run, this time 9-0 for a 78-68 Jazz lead.
The Grizzlies tried hard to fight back, but couldn’t stop the Jazz from scoring.
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