Jazz vs Grizzlies
SALT LAKE CITY (February 17, 2009) - The Utah Jazz went into the 2009 All-Star break with a big time home win versus the Lakers, (113-109), the game has been labeled as a statement game, as well as the biggest home win of the 2008-09 season at this point. Deron Williams led the team with 31 points and 11 assists, but made only 3 of 6 free throws down the stretch that kept the door ever so slightly open for the Lakers in the final seconds of play.
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Meanwhile the Grizzlies have been playing some of their strongest basketball of the year, scoring big wins over Western Conference Playoff contenders in both Houston, and New Orleans in the week leading into the All-Star break. Averaging 95.3 points over their last 6 games they have have played well defensively allowing only 92.3 points by their opponents, but 126 to the Clippers in one of their two losses.
Led by OJ Mayo (19.3 ppg), the Grizzlies have a very young, but very talented core of players that features names such as Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, Hakim Warrick, as well as young point guard Mike Conley. OJ Mayo has been making a strong case for ROY thus far by leading all rookies in scoring with 19.3 ppg, and minutes per game at 37.3.
On the flip side of the coin the Jazz have won 4 of their last 5 while averaging 108 points per game while their opponents have been scoring 101 points per game. Defensively speaking the Jazz have been on a bit of a slide in the 2009 portion of this season allowing more points per game than they have in some time, while many cite injuries as the main reason behind the problem, Coach Jerry Sloan hasn't been one to accept it as an excuse, continually urging his young squad to push on and play harder.
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Grizzlies Notes: The Grizzlies headed into the All-Star break winning 4 of the final 6 games... Rookies Marc Gasol and OJ Mayo played in the Rookie Sophomore Challenge; Gasol scored 15 and grabbed a game high 8 rebounds while Mayo scored 12 in the Rookies loss...
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Blast From the Past: 2008 Playoff Run
