Utah Jazz run into a Wall, lose to the Wizards

This is the type of game that makes you question your fanhood.

Throw out the fact that the Jazz have had injuries, can't get a break, and have been very frustrated lately. None of that was supposed to matter on this night. They were playing a Wizards team that has won only one road game all season. This was a game that Jazz fans had circled on the calendar to ease the sting of recent frustrations, and where they could watch their team pick up a win. 

Nothing went as planned on Monday night as the Utah Jazz lost to the Washington Wizards 100-95 for their third straight home loss and their sixth in a row overall. With the win, the Wizards became the second team in as many games to sweep the season series from the Jazz.

The Jazz played flat for much of the night and could not match the Wizards. Rookie John Wall scored 24 of his 28 points in the first half, and Jordan Crawford had a big game with 25. For the Jazz, CJ Miles led the team with 17 and Al Jefferson added 16 rebounds. He set a Jazz record for rebounds in the opening quarter with 10.

In the fourth quarter the starters were benched and the lineup consisted of CJ Miles, Ronnie Price, and the three rookies. They played well and brought a lot of energy to the team. Derrick Favors and Gordon Heyward played well defensively, and Favors added a couple of big dunks. He ended the night with 11 points and 19 rebounds. The Jazz defensive intensity and energy helped them to overcame a 12 point deficit to take a 2 point lead very late in the game. The Wizards were able to force overtime where they were too much for the Jazz, starting the extra period on a 7-0 run. 

After the game, Tyrone Corbin defended his decision to keep the starters on the bench in the fourth quarter and most of overtime. He talked highly of his young players and said that they "deserved to be on the court." He added that he was not trying to send a message to any of the other players.

When asked about the game overall, he said "I'm really disappointed we lost the game because we came out thinking that we could just show up and win the ball game. If we take care of our business right from the beginning of the game it could be a different story, but we didn't do it."

The road ahead does not get any easier for the Jazz. On Friday they welcome the Lakers to town and then end the season with games against teams like the Spurs, Trailblazers, Hornets, and Nuggets. They do play the Kings on the road, but they will be inspired to give the Jazz some payback for the last meeting that the Jazz won.

Notes: The Jazz shot only 47.6% from the free throw line missing 11 of 21.

As if the injuries the Jazz have suffered this season have not been enough, Raja Bell left the game with a strained foot. 

The Wizards swept the season series from the Jazz for the first time in 6 seasons.