NBA Update: First Half Analysis, New York Knicks vs. Utah Jazz
First Quarter
As per game policy, the ball was tossed between starters, Al Jefferson and Amar’e Stoudemire. Shawne Williams dunked in to gain possession of the ball for the Knicks. The very first shot of the game was a shooting foul that was committed by Stoudemire. Paul Millsap gained possession of one of the two free throws provided to Utah Jazz and the team had scored a rebound right after the free throw. Moments after the rebound Williams made a driving layup shot that was assisted by Millsap to make it 3-0, strengthening their lead over the Knicks. Millsap’s shooting foul gave the Knicks their first two points as Stoudemire dunked to hold the two free throws provided, 2-3.
Ronny Turiaf clinched a layup shot to block closer to Jazz, 4-5. With 10 minutes on the clock, Jefferson’s jump shot gave Utah a three point edge over the Knicks with score at 7-4.
Andrei Kirilenko dunked on the rim to further the scores, going 11-4 over the Knicks. Raja Bell missed a three pointer right after Stoudemire clinched the free throws provided to them in the 6th minute of the game. Raymond Felton missed a three pointer and Millsap took advantage of a rebound and scored for Utah. Jazz never let go of the lead and kept the Knicks at a deficit until 26 seconds left in second quarter. Bill Walker’s running jump shot tied the scores at 31-all.
Walker clinched a free throw after C.J. Miles committed a shooting foul and the Knicks took a one point lead over Utah Jazz, 32-31.
Second Quarter
Mason Jr. gave a turnover at the very start of the second quarter and Kirilenko followed with the same for Utah. Kirilenko clinched a layup shot quite similar to the first quarter, closing the difference at 33-32. Walker dunked on the rim to tie the scores once again at 36-all. With less than 10 minutes on the clock, Mehmet Okur clinched a fade away jumper shot that gave Utah a 2-point lead over the Knicks with the score poised at 38-36.
Utah scored five more points to take the score to 42-37 when Earl Watson scored a reverse layup shot that was assisted by Williams. Miles then made a three pointer to take the lead nine points up with 8 minutes remaining in the match . Okur clinched a three pointer at 7 minutes remaining, giving team Jazz a 10-point lead over the Knicks, 50-40. Walker saw a tirade of free throws coming his way when Miles and then (Jazz) Gordon Hayward committed a shooting foul each. The Knicks increased their score to 47 – only 9 points away from the opposing team. Jefferson slam dunked to go 60-52 over the Knicks at about 3 minutes in second half.
End of second quarter
Utah Jazz maintained their dominance over the Knicks by scoring 65-57 at the end of first half.
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