Utah Jazz edge out Miami Heat 99-98 in a thriller; Put an end to 9 game winning streak - NBA Recap
Utah Jazz may not have as many superstars as the other elite teams in the league; however they still have a mighty talented roster. On Friday night, they sent shockwaves through the league.
Up against the mighty Miami Heat, a team came into the game on a 9 game winning streak, Jazz put up a solid performance and held their nerves in the dying moments of the game to carve out a famous 99-98 win.
After an even first quarter, the Jazz raced off to a 15-4 run in the second frame, which they ended with a 57-44 lead. The Heat closed within 9 early after the break but a 13-4 foray capped by a trey from Harris stretched Utah’s
lead to as many as 18, 74-56.
That was where Miami started to turn the heat on. With 3:25 remaining in the third, Mario Chalmers drilled a jumper to initiate a 15-4 burst, making it 71-78. Then after Enes Kanter scored 4 in arrow for Utah early in the 4th,
LeBron took over. King James scored the first 8 and the last 4 point of a 17-8 run that tied the game at 88 with 4:49 left on the clock.
Jazz took a two point lead twice in the ensuing passage, but the Heat responded on both occasions and then with five consecutive James points, Miami went ahead by 97-94, with less than 30 seconds remaining.
However in the ensuing passage, first it was Al Jefferson made a tip in and after Wade missed one of his two free throws, Devin Harris made a three point play to clinch the win.
Jefferson finished with 20 points on 10 for 20 from the floor and 6 boards while CJ Miles pounded 14 points and grabbed 5 boards. Harris scored 13 points and 5 assists; Gordon Hayward finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists
and Josh Howard nearly missed a double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling down 9 boards.
"We played all-around good defense and communication is the key to that," Howard said. "Guys were talking to each other and our good defense created good offense for us."
LeBron James paced the Heat with a game high 35 points on 16 for 24 from the floor and 10 boards. Unfortunately, it was him that made the wrong pass down the clutch, which allowed Jefferson and Harris to turn the game in Jazz’s
favour.
"I just try to make the right plays and do what it takes to win basketball games," James said. "At the end of the day, games are not lost on one shot at the end or me not taking a shot. But I know the chatter will begin. I wanted
that game as bad as anyone else on that floor."
Dwyane Wade pounded 31 points while Shane Battier netted 18 points on an aggressive 6 for 7 from the long range.
Tags: