November 23rd, 2008 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
Despite being undermanned due to injuries to guard Deron Williams and forwards Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver, the Utah Jazz had to resort to another device in order to have a chance to defeat their opponent in Friday night’s game, the Memphis Grizzlies. The device in question was defense; apparently it worked as they forced the Grizzlies to turn the ball over 20 times and hold them to 47% shooting – the end result being Utah walking out of the FedEx Forum with a 103-94 win over Memphis.
Early in the game, the Grizzlies managed to have their way in the paint as ten of their first 17 points came from within the paint; but the Jazz’ defense clamped down, causing the Grizzlies to miss 11 of its first 13 shot attempts in the second quarter as Utah built their lead to 36-29. The Jazz would eventually build their lead to 10 before halftime. Utah would extend their lead midway in the third quarter to 13 as their defense stifled Memphis throughout the period.
The Grizzlies were able to cut the Jazz’ lead under double-digits with a small spurt late in the third period yet Utah held a 77-69 cushion going into the fourth quarter. But the Jazz would make the final result academic at the beginning of the period, trading baskets during the final 12 minutes. Utah’s leading scorer was Mehmet Okur with 23 points (including 4 three-pointers), 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal while Ronnie Brewer added 21 with a rebound, 4 assists and 4 steals.
Memphis’ high scorer was O.J. Mayo with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal while Rudy Gay added 21 with 4 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals and a blocked shot; Darrell Arthur pitched in, scoring 16 with 9 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot. Utah (9-5) begins a 4-game homestand as they host the Chicago Bulls on Monday while Memphis (4-9) hosts the San Antonio Spurs - also on Monday.
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