Okur stars in Utah comeback
Güncelleme Tarihi:
AP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 19, 2008 00:00
EAST RUTHERFORD - Turkish center Mehmet Okur had a big night with 23 points and nine assists in the Utah Jazz’s 103-92 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday. Utah had to overcome a dismal seven points in the first quarter and the absence of coach Jerry Sloan after he picked up two technical fouls early in the fourth period.
New Jersey opened a dazzling difference of 20 points with a score of 27-7 in the first quarter but the Jazz recovered.
Deron Williams had only one point during 10 minutes on the floor in the first period, then watched the second while the Jazz began chipping away without him.
"He was struggling in his game, because if you don't execute, the point guard doesn't get anything done,'' Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "And other guys just were looking to take shots. They weren't looking to win the game. They were looking to take shots.''Â
Okur led the Jazz in the big return and Paul Millsap added 18 points and 12 rebounds in his 13th straight double-double for the Jazz. Point guard Deron Williams raised his game later in the game, and finished with 17 points and 11 assists.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics came perilously close to seeing their remarkable winning streak ended, just hanging on to beat the Atlanta Hawks 88-85 and make it 16 straight NBA victories.Â
Boston has a franchise-record 24-2 record, and is now only two wins off the Celtics' longest-ever winning streak of 18 set in 1982.
Deron Williams had only one point during 10 minutes on the floor in the first period, then watched the second while the Jazz began chipping away without him.
"He was struggling in his game, because if you don't execute, the point guard doesn't get anything done,'' Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "And other guys just were looking to take shots. They weren't looking to win the game. They were looking to take shots.''Â
Okur led the Jazz in the big return and Paul Millsap added 18 points and 12 rebounds in his 13th straight double-double for the Jazz. Point guard Deron Williams raised his game later in the game, and finished with 17 points and 11 assists.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics came perilously close to seeing their remarkable winning streak ended, just hanging on to beat the Atlanta Hawks 88-85 and make it 16 straight NBA victories.Â
Boston has a franchise-record 24-2 record, and is now only two wins off the Celtics' longest-ever winning streak of 18 set in 1982.