Practice News Story 8: Sports

Jazz Edge Clippers

Posted: 11:35 p.m., MST, March 22, 2007

Los Angeles- After an overcast feeling during the four game loosing spell, two rays of glorious sunshine have finally broken the grey skies for the Jazz. Last nights win over the LA Clippers was a fantastic show of just how committed the Jazz are to getting a good spot in the finals. The 106-99 win was a nail biter all the way to end, the score was tied at 97going into the last minutes of the game, when Memot Okur (stats) stepped up and sank a crucial three that led to the seven point win for the Jazz. The Jazz trailed for most of the first half, but Fisher gave the Jazz the push they needed after halftime and brought the Jazz into the lead going into the last quarter. But the Clippers and especially Elton Brand (stats) did not take the run sitting down, and kept up all the way to the last minutes. Brand had a game leading 33 points which kept the Clippers in firing range of the Jazz, but even his efforts couldn’t stop last nights team effort.

Fisher was defiantly the key to last nights win, and his amazing contribution of 12 points and a astounding 15 assists gave the team the much needed second half momentum. “It’s great … we had lots of energy tonight.” Fisher later said. Paul Millsap who later would set the screen for the crucial Okur three had 15 points, and 7 rebounds. Carlos Boozer gained a “double double” with 22 points and 11 rebounds, another part of last nights team win. Talking about Fisher and Millsap, Coach Jerry Salone said it was the young guys who, “makes me want to coach.” He pointed to Fishers’ crucial role in the win, “the Fish stepped up … and gave us momentum during the second half.” Now many are saying that Salone has this seasons “Coach of the Year” award in the bag, but competition is stiff, as usual he doesn’t pay attention to the publicity. We can only hope that the Jazz can keep this seed of a wining streak alive.