Jazz take it despite Joey's clinic!

Joey Graham Fights Carlos for a rebound

JAZZ win at home and take the series from Denver. The "Thuggets" Battled back from being down 9 at the start of the 2nd quarter to take the lead late in the third on hot shooting from Chauncey Billups. But the Nugget that actually single handily took control of the game and almost stole the game from the JAZZ was Joey Graham! A 4 yr Journeyman out of OK state that put on a 21 point clinic in 25 minutes! He was unstoppable! The Jazz did not have an answer for him but made some adjustments in the 3rd/4th that slowed him... but the real difference was that A.D. just went away from him! Thanks A.D.!

Wesely Scores 2 of his 23pts.

As for the Jazz men, Deron, Millsap, and Carlos did step up and do their part, but the great play really came from Wesley Matthews; an un-drafted guard that has shown that he will have a long career with the JAZZ. He was incredible! He went for 23pts. to lead all Jazz players in scoring and shot 13/15 at the strip on a night when the Jazz shot 66% from the line! He handled Carmelo about as well as could be hoped for, holding him to 6-22 shooting and a big "0" from the 3 line. Mathews is a true starter. His play and contribution level is comparable to Millsap when Carlos went down. He has filled a void, and I think has earned Majority minutes at the 2/3 spot, specially against Kobe and the Lakers.

Gasol, one of the Jazz killers, helps finish off OK

Fesenko did not have a good night. period. He showed his lack of game time experience and nervousness by missing easy passes and simple scoring opportunities, but he will be needed in the Lakers series as the size match up has been the biggest problem for the JAZZ. "The Ku" (Kosta Koufos) had a quick 5min. and 2 points off a tip in. He will need to grow up in a hurry as well. Bottom line in my opinion is that they need to foul and foul hard and early in the LA series. Gasol is a soft, Rhythm player that scores like crazy when he's on. Hit him hard, early and, often and he WILL be off the rest of the game. The JAZZ took a Denver series without A.K. or Memo, and now have the impossible task of stealing on in L.A.... Kobe is on, Odom is a JAZZ killer, and L.A. is a ridiculous place for the JAZZ to win...

They said the same thing about Denver.