Hustling Jazz take command, collect sixth straight win

By Andrew Aragon, for NBA.com
Posted Tuesday February 2, 2010 1:18AM

SALT LAKE CITY (NBA.com exclusive) -- When the Utah Jazz have a lead going into the fourth quarter, they've been nearly unbeatable this season.

They didn't have much of an advantage -- one point -- after three quarters against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, so to pull out a victory they made all the hustle plays in the final period. They forced turnovers, blocked shots, ran the floor to get easy-basket opportunities and scored second-chance points to defeat Dallas, 104-92.

"That's what happens (when you make hustle plays)," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "You get a little energy, get a steal, get a blocked shot, that picks everyone up. Those are the kind of things that ignite your team and that's what they did tonight."

Utah (29-18) improved to 24-1 and 16-0 at home when leading going into the fourth quarter. Dallas (30-18) lost its third straight game. The Jazz have won six straight, 10 of their last 11, and they clinched the season series against the Mavs with Monday night's win.

The Jazz only led 77-76 going into the final period, but quickly ignited their crowd with hustle plays. They forced turnovers and took advantage of poor transition defense by Dallas to break the game open. Six of their first eight points in the fourth quarter were on second-chance baskets, and they built an 85-80 lead. Dallas called a timeout, but all it did was delay an inevitable game-clinching stretch for Utah.

During an 11-2 run, Andrei Kirilenko stole a pass from JJ Barea and drove coast-to-coast. He made a layup, drew a foul and converted a three-point play. On Dallas' next possession, Paul Millsap made a steal and threw an outlet pass to Deron Williams, who then got the ball in the open court to Wesley Matthews. He converted another three-point play to put Utah up, 94-82.

The back-to-back three-point plays put the Jazz in control with 6:49 left in the game.

"Those back-to-back steals, that's just helping each other on defense, being tough and winning," Matthews said. "Whenever you get a three-point play, it's a backbreaker."

Millsap, who led the Jazz in scoring for the second straight game while starting in the place of injured Carlos Boozer, said Utah's attitude about playing defense has changed since the start of the season and it was the difference in Monday's game. Dallas committed seven turnovers and shot 36 percent in the fourth quarter.

"It's the will not to lose," he said. "Guys were aggressive on the defensive end, getting up and playing guys."

The Jazz held the Mavericks to two baskets and 10 points in the first 10 minutes of the fourth quarter. Kirilenko contributed by holding Dirk Nowitzki to just two points in the fourth, which came on foul shots.

"I think we concentrated on him a little more," Kirilenko said. "Everyone knows he is a great shooter and every time he gets the ball 18 feet in it's like a layup."

Millsap had 25 points and nine rebounds. Williams had 18 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. Kirilenko had another solid all-around game with 13 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Nowitzki finished with 28 points. He scored 14 of them in the third quarter.

"I think in the fourth quarter they really stepped up their pressure," Nowitzki said. "They've got quick hands, took the ball away from us, got some layups, got some looks in transition. We battled in the third and got back in it, then they stepped up their pressure and that was it."

Boozer missed his second straight game with a moderate right calf strain. He's listed as doubtful to play in Utah's next game against Portland on Wednesday night.

Without their leading scorer, the Jazz got a balanced effort from their starters and reserves. C.J. Miles came off the bench to score 17 points and grab five rebounds. Matthews was again a sparkplug on offense and defense, finishing with seven points, two steals and two blocked shots.

Starters Ronnie Brewer and Mehmet Okur each had 11 points for Utah.

"I thought we had a lot of guys play well," Sloan said. "That's what we have to have to be able to try to win some of these games, because if you come out and only four or five guys are busting their can that's not enough. We need everybody and I think that showed in the game tonight."

• Mavericks: Singleton, Thomas
• Jazz: Boozer

• Mavericks: Barea
• Jazz: --

• Lead Changes: 14
• Times Tied: 8

• Arena: EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
• Officials: #27 Dick Bavetta, #54 Derrick Collins, #64 Eli Roe
• Attendance: 19911
• Duration: 2:6