Thursday’s game between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz made one wonder who had the tryptophan-laced, pre-game meal before tipoff. One thing that is for certain: the game was one of polar opposites. The Jazz, led by Carlos Boozer’s 28 points, shot a scorching 60.8% from the field while the Bulls shot only 42%. As you’ve probably surmised, Utah easily handled Chicago 105-86 at Energy Solutions Arena.

The first quarter went in Utah’s direction as six consecutive points by Boozer gave the Jazz an early 11-6 lead; Taj Gibson’s basket with 1:47 left in the period would bring the Bulls to within one, but a free throw by Mehmet Okur would up the Jazz’ advantage to 28-22. Utah would pour it on in the second quarter as they manufactured a 12-4 run, capped by a Paul Millsap with 8:56 left in the half, giving the Jazz a 40-26 bulge. After a Chicago timeout, Utah would increase their lead to 17 before the Bulls would reduce their deficit to 10 on a Derrick Rose basket; the Jazz would go on a quick 8-1 spurt just before halftime, taking a 57-40 lead into their locker room.

An Okur 3-pointer would stretch Utah’s lead to 18 with 6:58 remaining in the third quarter before settling into nip-and-tuck mode for the balance of the period before settling for a 81-65 lead going into the final period. The Jazz would bust this one wide open as they went on a 12-6 run, upping the Jazz’ bulge to 23, capped by a Deron Williams jumper; they would ice the game with 4:33 remaining in the game on a Boozer jumper, giving Utah an insurmountable 101-76 cushion.

Boozer led all Jazz scorers with 28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and 3 blocks while Williams added 21 with 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals; Ronnie Brewer poured in 15 with 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a block. The Bulls were led by Luol Deng with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals while Rose added 19 with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Utah (8-7) plays again on Saturday as they continue their home stand, hosting division rival Portland Trail Blazers while Chicago (6-8) travels to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks Monday night.