Utah Jazz
- 32-18,
- 2nd Northwest
The Jazz extended their winning streak to nine games with a strong fourth quarter against the Clippers and have won 13 of their last 14 games as well. With one more victory, they could take a 10-game winning streak into the break as the toast of the league.
Andrew Bynum won't play for the Lakers with a bruised hip and Kobe Bryant is questionable with a sprained ankle. Bryant already has missed two games and would be afforded 12 days off thanks to the All-Star break if he doesn't play Wednesday.
However, Bryant also might not resist the chance to play in what will be a statement game for the Jazz. The Lakers have eliminated the Jazz from the playoffs the past two seasons while the Jazz ended the Lakers' 11-game winning streak in December.
Whether they match up with Carlos Boozer or Mehmet Okur, the Jazz will have to contend with Pau Gasol, who had 21 points, 19 rebounds, eight assists and five blocks in the Lakers' victory Monday over San Antonio.
Boozer, however, had one of his strongest games of the season Tuesday after he was snubbed in favor of Clippers center Chris Kaman as an injury replacement for the All-Star Game. Boozer had 34 points and 14 rebounds in the Jazz's victory over the Clippers.
The Jazz have won 10 consecutive games at EnergySolutions Arena, but will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set. Before leaving Los Angeles, Boozer made his prediction that Bryant would play.
"He'll play (Wednesday)," Boozer said. "He's a warrior. And you've got to be prepared for him to have a big game."
JAZZ 109, CLIPPERS 99: The Jazz rolled to their ninth straight victory, rallying from 11 points down in the third quarter to beat the Clippers. The Jazz improved to 10-12 on the road, including 4-2 since Jan. 1. They still remain two games behind second-place Denver in the Western Conference standings and 6 1-2 games behind the Lakers.
—Although he was passed over as an injury replacement in favor of Clippers center Chris Kaman, Carlos Boozer took his All-Star snub in stride. Boozer went into Tuesday averaging 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds—comparable numbers to Kaman—but for a Jazz team that has 10 more wins than the Clippers and is third in the West. Boozer nevertheless praised Kaman as one of the top centers in the NBA, after only Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum.
Jazz chief executive Greg Miller has tried reaching out to fans in ways different than his father, the late owner Larry Miller. As part of his efforts, Greg Miller has adopted a Twitter account and has started answering mailbag questions on the Web site. In response to a question about the Jazz moving all broadcasts to FSN Utah this season, Miller said the extra revenue they gained was the only way they were able to match Portland's four-year, $32 million offer sheet to Paul Millsap last summer.
Rotation:
Starters—Point guard Deron Williams, Shooting guard Ronnie Brewer, Small forward Andrei Kirilenko, Power forward Carlos Boozer, Center Mehmet Okur. Bench—Forward Paul Millsap, Guard Ronnie Price, Guard C.J. Miles, Guard Wesley Matthews.
Player Notes:
G Ronnie Price sparked the Jazz in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's victory by hitting two three-pointers. Price scored 11 points in the game and played the first six minutes of the fourth quarter before Deron Williams came back.
G Sundiata Gaines hails from the same area of New York (Jamaica, Queens) as Lakers forwards Lamar Odom and Ron Artest. Gaines said he knows Artest a little better than Odom. Gaines went to Archbishop Molloy High, Artest went to LaSalle Academy and Odom went to Christ the King.
C Kyrylo Fesenko was put on the inactive list for Tuesday's game against the Clippers despite being healthy. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said afterward that Fesenko has struggled with issues of tardiness. Fesenko is in his third year with the Jazz.
G Kyle Korver made a six-minute appearance at the end of the first half after not having played in two of the Jazz's previous three games. Korver had two points and hit the only shot he took in that time.