Washington Wizards overcome Utah Jazz 108-101
The Washington Wizards registered their fourth consecutive home victory, and first two-game winning streak of the 2010-11 season, after they overcame the Utah Jazz 108-101
on Monday night at the Verizon Center.
Washington was led by a balanced attack, as five players scored in double-figures. Andray Blatche contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Wizards in their 12th
win of the 2010-11 season. Nick Young paved the way for the Wizards with a team-high 25 points - 22 of which came in the second half. John Wall, who looks rejuvenated with Washington, finished with 19 points and had a career-high 15 assists in the home victory.
Only three Utah players scored in double figures. Deron Williams did all he could and scored a game-high 28 points and 11 assists for Utah, who saw their brief three-game
winning streak come to an end. Al Jefferson posted 25 points and 10 rebounds in defeat. Utah's Paul Millsap, who entered the game shooting nearly 55 percent and averaging 17.6, was just 4-for-13 from the field. He ended with 11 points.
The current match was the first meeting between Williams and Wall.
Jazz point-guard Williams praised Wall in a post-match interview. He said, "He (Wall) is one of the fastest, quickest guys, and he gets out and runs. He is a smart point
guard. It is not like he is just a scoring point guard. He knows how to get others involved. You can tell he has a high basketball IQ. He's going to be in this league for a long time, and be one of the top point guards for a long time."
First Quarter
Both teams started the contest sluggishly, but the Wizards got it going offensively midway through the opening quarter. Blatche stayed hot as he scored 10 points in the
opening quarter, taking a 21-18 lead into the second.
Wizards Head Coach Flip Saunders said after the game that he had told Wall to, "Do what you do. Play with energy. Push it up. See if people are open and get people the ball
and play with enthusiasm."
However, Wall fought hard and grabbed just 10 assists in the first 18 minutes of the game.
Second Quarter
Utah and Washington began the game at a crisp pace, using 21 possessions apiece in the second quarter.
Utah's C.J Miles provided his team with a brief lead, at 30-29 with seven minutes to go in the first half. However, Wall went on a 10-2 run with a jumper and lay-up to put
Washington in front 39-32 with over four minutes remaining. The Wizards maintained a 42-39 advantage at half time.
Third Quarter
The Jazz fought hard to cut the deficit, taking a 43-42 in the first minute of the second half. The Wizards outscored them 29-15 to lead 73-58 with three and a half minutes
to play in the third quarter. Lewis scored all 13 of his points in the third quarter.
The Wizards successfully grabbed a 78-68 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter turned into a battlefield as it was bombarded with some tenacious shots at both end.
Nick Young was nearly unstoppable in the final stanza, as he hit a fade away jumper to give the Wizards a seemingly comfortable 97-86 lead, with just over four minutes to
go until the final buzzer.
Then it was Utah's turn as Andrei Kirilenko hit a three to spark a 12-4 Jazz run, and finished it off with a free-throw to make it a 101-98 game with just one minute to
go.
A dejected Deron Williams said after the game, "They came out and played better than us. It looked like they wanted it a little bit more, like it meant a little bit more
to them."
Blatche was then fouled and made 1-for-2 at the line, while Young had a fantastic three-pointer to put the Wizards up 105-98 with 40.9 seconds remaining. From there they
held on to take the game 108-101.
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