Al Jefferson scores 21 points as the Utah Jazz edge out the Charlotte Bobcats 83-78
Al Jefferson registered team-highs with 21 points and 11 rebounds as the short-handed Utah Jazz handed the visiting Charlotte Bobcats a, 83-78, loss on Monday night at Energy Solutions Arena.
Andrei Kirilenko continued his mid-range shooting display on the night as well and finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Paul Millsap also added 14 points and 12 rebounds in the home victory while C.J. Miles also chipped in
with 20 points for the Jazz, who won the 29th game of the season 2010-11.
Stephen Jackson finished with 24 points and eight rebounds while D.J. Augustin provided the spark off the bench with 20 points for the Bobcats, who lost the 27th game of the current season.
First Quarter Recap
The Jazz began the game brightly. They tore apart the Bobcats defence in the first few minutes and raced away with a sizzling 11-0 run, capped by a Millsap fade away jumper.
Although the Bobcats picked up the pace after that, Utah held on to a 24-18 lead, going into the second quarter.
Second Quarter Recap
The second quarter was an entirely different story as Charlotte fought back with a 10-0 run. The Jazz got a little bit loose around the mid-way point of the quarter, turning the ball over and missing shots on a regular basis. However
they consolidated deep into the period and carried a 43-41 advantage into the locker-room.
Four players scored for Utah in the second quarter, including a team high six points by Jefferson. Utah also blocked seven shots in the first half.
Third Quarter Recap
Utah came on strong early in the third quarter and reeled off another 11-0 run to expand their lead to 54-41. The Bobcats however refused to die down and when Boris Diaw nailed 3-pointer with just 31 seconds to go, the game was
again tied at 62.
Fourth Quarter Recap
Kirilenko broke the ice with a nice three-pointer shot to start the fourth quarter.Charlotte continued to struggle with turnovers and trailed by as many as 10 points early in the quarter. However, Jackson’s 3-pointer pulled the
Bobcats within 76-74 with 4:19 to go.
After a missed jump shot by Jackson and several missed tip-ins, the Bobcats went down by four on a series of free throws by Augustin with one-minute left. The Jazz hung tough and forced another turnover in the last minute as they
squeaked out a win.
Quotable
Utah head coach Jerry Sloan said, "Well, I thought our guys played hard," "We played hard, after the game we had last night, it really felt good to watch them play a little harder than what we did. And when you play hard, you always
have a chance to win. We made some mistakes, but I can live with that when you're trying to play hard, trying to do some things worthwhile."
Facts
The Jazz played the game without star point guard Deron Williams for the third straight game because of a wrist injury.
Utah's reserve Centre Mehmet Okur missed his 35th game of the current season.
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