The two teams NO Western Conference team wants to play faced off on a rare NBA on TNT Tuesday matchup: Utah and Houston. Holding the Rockets to just 34% from the field, Utah got 99-86 W, behind 19 and 12 from Deron Williams. Both teams had 5 guys finish in double digits.
Both Utah and Houston are arguably the hottest teams in the League right now. Including Tuesday night, Utah's won 15 of their last 18, while the Rockets are winners of 16 of their last 21, and both teams boast excellent home records. What makes both teams so dangerous is their balance. Although neither has that game-changing player who can take over and knock teams out, they can't be knocked out either.
They're just too deep, and solid all-around. Inside, both teams boast bigs who can bang with anybody - the Rockets: Yao & Luis Scola. The Jazz: Mehmet Okur & Carlos Boozer. Undersized forwards who play their ass off - Rockets: Chuck Hayes & Carl Landry. Jazz: Paul Millsap. Versatile wings that do some of everything, and most importantly, DEFEND - Rockets: Artest & Shane Battier. Jazz: Ronnie Brewer & AK47. White boys with burners - Rockets. Brent Barry. Jazz: Kyle Korver. And solid (stellar in the case of Utah with D. Will) guard play - Rockets: Aaron Brooks, Von Wafer, & Kyle Lowry. Jazz: D. Will, CJ Miles, & Brevin Knight.
After fighting through injuries to damn near every player on their respective roters, Houston and Utah are both as healthy and stable as they've been all season. Unfortunately, both teams' strong points seem to serve as their downfall: the lack of a player who can single-handedly take a game over. But if they can both hang in there with teams down the stretch, and continue to get things done efficiently by committee, both teams have a legitimate shot to beat anybody out West in a 7-game series.
Scores From Around The League...3/24/09
Pistons 91, Bulls 99
Lakers 107, Thunder 89
Warriors 106, Spurs 107
Rockets 86, Jazz 99
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"Oops"
That shit is hilarious.
Via: ESPN
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