Jazz Prevent Rockets Lift Off Win Game Four 86-82

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA PLAYOFFS

Deron Williams led six Utah Jazz players in double figures, and Mehmet Okur and Carlos Boozer each recorded a double-double as the Jazz won a hard fought 86-82 game Saturday night against the Houston Rockets. The victory gives Utah a 3-1 game edge in their first round NBA Western Conference Playoff series. Utah would advance to the second round with a win in game five, as the series shifts back to Houston. The Jazz had won both games at the Rockets home venue.

You are not going to be seeing this game on ESPN Classic as an “Instant Classic.” This game was just ugly and gritty, as neither side were really dominant offensively. Houston had the lead at the end of the first quarter as they were ahead 23-21 at the end of the period. But they looked like they needed a road map to find the basket in the second quarter resulting in a 46-38 Utah lead at the half.? The Jazz broke ahead to a 56-40 lead with 7:56 left in the third as Mehmet Okur hit an outside shot. But the Rockets would not quit, and had the lead down to 66-61 heading into the fourth. Houston pulled within 1 point of Utah with 10:38 left in the fourth, as Rafer Alston drove the lane and put it up and in for two, making it a 68-67 game. Utah then went on a run and after back to back baskets by Deron Williams they had a 82-73 lead with just ?2:03 left in the game.?Houston fought back again, as Shane Battier and Rafer Alston hit back to back treys to make it 82-80 Jazz with 15 seconds left.? Utah held on though as Kyle Korver and Mehmet Okur each hit a pair at the line to seal the win.

Deron Williams scored 17 points, 9 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal. Mehmet Okur scored 14 points grabbed 18 boards, 1 block, 1 steal, Carlos Boozer also scored 14 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block.?Ronnie Brewer scored 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist, 1 steal, Andrei Kirilenko scored?11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist, 1 block. Kyle Korver scored 10 points, ?2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block.

Tracy McGrady recorded a double-double, with a game high 23 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Rafer Alston scored 15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, Carl Landry scored 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals. Shane Battier scored 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block. Utah now leads the series 3-1.

Updates, Fresh From the Oven, Straight to Your Inbox