Game Recap: Jazz Outduel the Wizards, 104-101

The Utah Jazz used a balanced attack lead by Enes Kanter and some timely 4th quarter shooting to just barely outscore the visiting Washington Wizards to win 104-101.

The Long and Short of it:

The Washington Wizards have one of the most effective starting units and a bench that struggles to support the starters.  Tonight was a real demonstration of that fact as the Wizard starting unit scored 83 of the team's 101 points.  Trevor Ariza was hot from the 3 point line all night long finishing with 23 points and 6 of 10 shooting from deep.  Every Wizard starter scored at least 13 points.

On the other hand the Jazz got half of their 104 points from the bench lead by Kanter's 24 and Alec Burks' 15.  The Jazz shot a healthy 46% from the field, but made their money shooting 10 for 24 from behind the arc.  Trey Burke only made 4 shots in 12 tries, but he was 4/5 from deep.  Trey has really struggled scoring in the lane this season but has somewhat made up for it with his clutch shooting in the 4th quarter.  Tonight was no different on either account.

Game Ball:

The game ball goes to Kanter who not only put up 24 and 5, but more importantly, shot 11-13 with only 1 turnover, making for a very efficient night offensively.  Kanter also added two assists and made 2 fairly clutch free throws in the 4th quarter.

What the Jazz Fans Will Be Talking About

This game gives a contingent of Jazz fans really nice fodder for arguing that Alec Burks and Enes Kanter should be starting and getting more minutes over Richard Jefferson and Marvin Williams.  Jefferson and Williams combined for 13 and 7 on 4-14 shooting.  On top of that, the fivesome of Burke, Burks, Hayward, Favors and Kanter, continued a recent stretch of good play by performing well together tonight.  In short, it probably doesn't matter who starts and who doesn't as much as the fact that it is just good to see the youngsters playing well with each other.  Great job, youngsters.

What's Next

On Monday night, Jimmer Fredette and the Sacramento Kings come to town to face the Jazz.  The Kings are currently without top players Demarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay, so it may be another "w" for the Jazz on way to ruining any chance they might have had to land a star player in the upcoming draft.

That was a joke.  It'll be okay, Jazz fans.  See you Monday.