Korver’s Late 3’s Help Jazz Defuse Yao-less Rockets 97-89

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main

???????????????????????????????????? The Jazz swarmed the paint Sunday night as Rockets center Yao Ming sat out of Houston?s loss with an upper respiratory infection. ?

The Utah Jazz, while they have their version of John Stockton and Karl Malone in Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, they also have another weapon in their arsenal – Kyle Korver.? Korver’s forte is shooting the 3-pointer; Sunday, his specialty came to serve the Jazz well, as Korver drained 2 late treys, enabling Utah to hold off the Houston Rockets, 97-89 at the Toyota Center.? The Rockets were without the services of Yao Ming, who is suffering from an upper respiratory infection.

The first quarter was sloppy for both teams as they combined for 10 turnovers as Utah held a slim 19-16 lead – a lead they held only because they sunk their first 6 free throws.? The Jazz improved their shooting somewhat while the Rockets continued to misfire in the second quarter with Houston shooting only 34%; Utah would go into the third quarter leading 41-35.? Rockets reserve Steve Novak sank 2 treys in the third quarter as Houston rallied from 7 points down to tie the game at 56.

With 6:22 left in the third quarter, Houston’s Tracy McGrady, after being fouled by Utah’s Mehmet Okur, flew into the crowd, appearing to have injured a finger on his left hand; McGrady missed two free throws, allowing Utah to maintain a 74-72 edge.? Utah’s Boozer scored a basket with 4:36 remaining in the game, putting the Jazz up 80-76; Williams would make a jumper of his own on Utah’s next possession.? The Jazz’ Korver would sink 2 three-pointers to cap a 14-3 Utah run, giving them an insurmountable 88-77 lead.

Utah was led by a trio of players, Williams, Andrei Kirilenko and Korver with 17 apiece – Williams?also dished out 12 assists and Korver made 3 treys.? Boozer recorded a double-double with 13 and 10 rebounds.? Houston’s high scorer was McGrady with 21 points, despite 10-of-24 shooting; ?Luis Scola scored 18 while Shane Battier added 15, including 3 treys.? Utah (26-18) returns to Energy Solutions Arena to host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, while Houston (24-20) continues their homestand by hosting the Golden State Warriors Tuesday.

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