Utah Comes Back With Second Half Explosion Blot Out Suns 126-118

The Utah Jazz had seven players score in double figures Friday night and the team shot a scalding 57.0% (45-79) from the floor for the game as they defeated the Phoenix Suns 126-118. Utah came back from being down in the first half to take over the game with a flurry in the final quarter. The loss was the third in a row for Phoenix, who are now 3-6 since Phoenix General Manager Steve Kerr decided to trade for Shaquille O’Neal. The day the trade was made the Suns had the best record in the Western Conference. They now have the sixth best record in the conference.

Phoenix looked like they might have been at the end of their losing streak in the first half as they led 33-28, at the end of the first quarter, and were up 66-59 as the two teams hit the half. The Suns increased their lead even further at the end of the third quarter as they were ahead 94-85 as the two teams entered the final 12 minutes of play. And with the start of the fourth quarter, it was if the Jazz flipped a switch and came alive. Utah took their first lead of the second half at 97-96 as Deron Williams drove the lane for a layup, putting Utah ahead 97-96 with 8:41 left in the game. The lead volleyed back and forth until Utah took the lead at 116-114 as Kyle Korver hit two at the line. Phoenix never led again.

Deron Williams registered a double-double for the Jazz as he scored 25 points, dished off a game high 15 assists, 6 rebounds in the victory. Mehmet Okur also recorded a double-double for Utah as he scored 25 points, grabbed 14 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, Carlos Boozer scored 23 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist. Kyle Korver scored 14 points, 1 steal, 1 assist, 1 rebound, Matt Harpring scored 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal. Paul Milsap scored 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, Ronnie Brewer scored 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist.

Amare Stoudemire led all scores with 37 points, 8 boards, 3 blocks, 2 assists, 1 steal. Shaq scored 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, Raja Bell scored 19 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist. Steve Nash recorded a double-double 17 points, 15 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal. Utah is now 41-22, Phoenix is 40-22.