SLC Dunk - NBA Regular Season: San Antonio Spurs (18-4) at Utah Jazz (12-10) -- Game 23Our Team Is On The Floorhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29190/slc-redunk-fv.jpg2012-12-13T04:30:46-07:00http://www.slcdunk.com/rss/stream/35249652012-12-13T04:30:46-07:002012-12-13T04:30:46-07:00Jazz measure up vs mighty Spurs, win 99-96
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EucdfkBTU0aO71qZAnfEngfaX8A=/330x1303:2497x2748/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4911563/20121212_kkt_ai4_378.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Game #23 • Energy<em>Solutions</em> Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • December 12, 2012 • 8:30 p.m. (MT) • TV: ESPN and ROOT Sports • RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes </p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 23:</h3>
<h3>
<a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Antonio Spurs</a> 96 at <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a> 99</h3>
<p><u><a href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2012/12/12/3760924/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-game-23" target="_blank">#SASatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a></u> -- <u><span>Spurs vs Jazz coverage</span></u></p>
<p><i>The measuring stick game...</i></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font>... and we measured up quite nicely. Tonight the Utah Jazz fought hard against a much more experienced and disciplined club -- that like all monster movies -- just never goes away. While this isn't the "long recap" (and yes, I still will be doing those), I will go into a little bit of detail here.</p>
<p>The Spurs are the best team in the Western Conference for a reason (they were leading coming into this game, but the L and an OKC W flip flopped them). Everyone knows their place, and even without two key rotation players (<span>Kawhi Leonard</span> and <span>Stephen Jackson</span>) they can still run smoothly without a hitch. I'm not just saying nice things about the team we beat -- I mean it. The Spurs were up by double digits three times in the first 16 minutes of this game. I don't mean that they were up near double digits, but we'd score, then they'd score, and so forth. No. I mean that it was a 1 pt lead that went up to a 10 pt lead, then we'd fight back and bring it down, and then they'd go up by 10 again, and then we'd get close, and then they'd put it to double digits again.</p>
<p>This happened three times in 16 minutes, more or less. They are a better team than we are, and a big part of that is how they attack and attack and attack in the first quarter. We're notoriously bad in the first quarter of games and usually spend the next three quarters fighting uphill. We had to do it again vs the Spurs. Not just because we start slow; but because they start fast.</p>
<p>It was the <span>Tim Duncan</span> and <span>Al Jefferson</span> show in the first quarter. <span>Danny Green</span> and <span>Randy Foye</span> had appearances in it as well, but it was the marquee match-up of the two remaining legit back to the basket bigs in the league setting the tone early. This actually, "kinda" worked out in our favor. We were down but it prevented San Antonio's auxiliary players from getting into the groove of this game. In the second quarter our bench (+ <span>Paul Millsap</span> -- see, this is better than just 5 bench players out there at a time to fend for themselves) went on a 17-3 run and we took the lead for what seemed like good. A huge factor in this was the decision to press in the backcourt by <span>Tyrone Corbin</span> -- sicking (siccing?) <span>DeMarre Carroll</span> and <span>Earl Watson</span> to hinder the Spurs bench players. We played great team defense, there was a lot of physical play and deflections were created. It wasn't the normal type of game you see. We adjusted to what the refs were letting the teams do, and took control of the game. The Jazz starters then finished the half strong, going on a 7-0 to be up nearly double digits on the best in the West.</p>
<p>Normally this is where we'd be happy with the moral victory. Everyone knows the Spurs were going to come out blazing. They did. They tied the game up against our starters, and when we went bench vs. bench again to end the third they countered a 5-0 run with one of their own. The third quarter ended with both teams tied.</p>
<p>To start the fourth Ty went with 5 bench guys (when we know that when he mixes it up he has success -- he should know it too as well), and <span>Gregg Popovich</span> did too (except for injuries <span>Gary Neal</span> was starting). Our guys held their own against <span>Tiago Splitter</span>, <span>Matt Bonner</span>, and <span>Manu Ginobili</span> for a few minutes . . . but they eventually went on that second run, and retook the lead on an 10-4 stretch. Corbin countered with bringing some starters back and we cut the lead down to striking distance only for the Spurs to push ahead even farther with an 8-3 run. Time was running out.</p>
<p>Corbin kept mixing and matching and we ended the game with <span>Mo Williams</span>, Randy Foye, <span>Gordon Hayward</span>, Paul Millsap, and Al Jefferson. And this lineup went on a 14-3 run to finish the game. With the ending being a Mo Williams three pointer to win the game.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="480" height="360" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x2auOvmvv98?rel=0"></iframe></p>
<p>Wow.</p>
<p>A huge part of this game was the return of <span>Derrick Favors</span> (12 minutes) -- while he didn't kill it on the court, he showed that he was capable of playing again. More obviously, off the bench Gordon did a hell of a job scoring 19 points (4/6 from downtown), pulling down 7 boards (2nd best on the team), and dishing it off for 6 assists (1st on the team). Hayward also had a transition block on Gary Neal that would have been another 2 points. The margin of victory for this game was one shot. Hayward did it again with defense to make sure the margin wasn't smaller.</p>
<p>While Mo is the obvious hero with the redemption mode game winner (he was 2/8 for the game and 0/3 from downtown at that point), we're not in an offensive grove without Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap. They combined for 45 points, 16 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. These are big time numbers from nationally overlooked players. Both of them took turns scoring on Tim Duncan one on one. Duncan had a 20/20 game with 6 blocks -- but he also got beat one on one in the post by Al, and off the bounce by Paul. These were not one time things -- this was the Jazz game plan and Duncan began to show some cracks. He's not the same guy he was a decade ago, naturally. He's still one of the greatest ever. But I don't ever remember other teams planning their offense around going at Karl Malone. Just sayin'.</p>
<p>Much more details in the long recap -- but on John Stockton Day (12/12/12) how else was this game going to end than our PG hitting a clutch three with no time left on the clock?</p>
<p></p>
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<table class="box-score">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 12.12.2012 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> </span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>25</td>
<td class="highlight">96</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> </span></td>
<td>22</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>28</td>
<td class="highlight">99</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p>For more, visit <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a>.</p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2012/12/13/3761932/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-96-at-utah-jazz-99-quick-recapAllThatAmar2012-12-13T02:23:55-07:002012-12-13T02:23:55-07:00Spurs @ Jazz -- Immediate Post Game Video
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nZJtlg9LUgWnDemTMySUD7e6B5s=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4911309/20121212_kkt_ai4_387.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Game #23 • Energy<em>Solutions</em> Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • December 12, 2012 • 8:30 p.m. (MT) • TV: ESPN and ROOT Sports • RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes </p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 23:</h3>
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> 96 at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> 99</h3>
<p><u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2012/12/12/3760924/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-game-23">#SASatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a></u> -- <u><span>Spurs vs Jazz coverage</span></u></p>
<p><i>The measuring stick game...</i></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<p><b>Participants</b>: @DianaAllen @AllThatAmar</p>
<p><b>Runtime</b>: 29:11</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wtK_bodteK8?rel=0" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe></p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2012/12/13/3761926/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-96-at-utah-jazz-99-immediateAllThatAmar2012-12-12T20:07:38-07:002012-12-12T20:07:38-07:00Spurs @ Jazz -- Game Thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fqqc9eV8h64TBsP5oIfAWd2k7Yw=/0x59:875x642/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4899147/20120505_jel_ai4_026.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Game #23 • Energy<em>Solutions</em> Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • December 12, 2012 • 8:30 p.m. (MT) • TV: ESPN and ROOT Sports • RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes</p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 23:</h3>
<h3> <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Antonio Spurs</a> (18-4) at <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a> (12-10)</h3>
<p><u><a href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2012/12/12/3760924/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-game-23" target="_blank">#SASatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a></u> -- <u><span>Spurs vs Jazz coverage</span></u></p>
<p><em>The measuring stick game...</em></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>Probable Starters:</h4>
<p>Pressed for time tonight (work be crazy right now) . . . so . . .</p>
<ul> <li>PG: <span>Tony Parker</span> vs <span>Mo Williams</span> </li> <li>SG: <span>Gary Neal</span> vs <span>Randy Foye</span> </li> <li>SF: <span>Danny Green</span> vs <span>Marvin Williams</span> </li> <li>PF: <span>DeJuan Blair</span> vs <span>Paul Millsap</span> </li> <li>C: <span>Tim Duncan</span> vs <span>Al Jefferson</span> </li> </ul>
<p>Key subs for the Spurs are <span>Manu Ginobili</span>, <span>Boris Diaw</span>, <span>Tiago Splitter</span>, and for tonight at least, <span>Matt Bonner</span>. Patrick Mills is also someone I am worried about. For the Jazz you have to be happy about <span>Derrick Favors</span> returning, and also the inspired play of <span>DeMarre Carroll</span>, <span>Gordon Hayward</span>, and <span>Enes Kanter</span>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>STAAAATS:</h4>
<p>Here --></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1870589/G23_SAS_at_UTA_-_Teams.png" target="_blank"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1870589/G23_SAS_at_UTA_-_Teams.png" alt="G23_sas_at_uta_-_teams"></a> <br id="1355367640672"></p>
<p>Both teams are good at basketball and not boring.</p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<p>For all the other info <u><a href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2012/12/12/3760924/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-game-23" target="_blank">check the game stream</a></u> . . . and remember . . .</p>
<h3>GO JAZZ GO!</h3>
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<legend>Poll</legend>
<h5 class="poll-title">Who will win tonight?</h5>
<div id="poll_container_158657_896249714" class="poll_container">
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">86%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>The Mighty Utah Jazz</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">19</span> votes</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">14%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>The San Antonio Spurs</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">3</span> votes</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>22</strong> votes
| <span class="poll-has-closed">Poll has closed</span>
</p>
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https://www.slcdunk.com/2012/12/12/3761182/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-gameAllThatAmar2012-12-12T19:57:02-07:002012-12-12T19:57:02-07:00Spurs @ Jazz -- Injury Update: Favors available!
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Wm1JA-GZ9LU0cThg-AafjAE2-gE=/0x39:933x661/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4898735/20120409_ajw_ai4_300.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Game #23 • EnergySolutions Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • December 12, 2012 • 8:30 p.m. (MT) • TV: ESPN and ROOT Sports • RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes </p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 23:</h3>
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> (18-4) at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (12-10)</h3>
<p><u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2012/12/12/3760924/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-game-23">#SASatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a></u> -- <u><span>Spurs vs Jazz coverage</span></u></p>
<p><i>The measuring stick game...</i></p>
<p> </p>
<p>BREAKING NOOZ!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/279047541285330944"><img alt="Gm_23_-_favors" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1870669/GM_23_-_Favors.PNG"></a></p>
<p><span>Derrick Favors</span> will be available tonight!</p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2012/12/12/3761190/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-injuryAllThatAmar2012-12-12T19:50:12-07:002012-12-12T19:50:12-07:00Spurs @ Jazz -- Game Preview
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lN-hIl70re7jA-mH4-b0BYubbF4=/0x103:525x453/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4894401/20120507_ajw_ai4_120.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Game #23 • Energy<em>Solutions</em> Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • December 12, 2012 • 8:30 p.m. (MT) • TV: ESPN and ROOT Sports • RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes </p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 23:</h3>
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> (18-4) at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (12-10)</h3>
<p><u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2012/12/12/3760924/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-game-23">#SASatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a></u> -- <u><span>Spurs vs Jazz coverage</span></u></p>
<p><i>The measuring stick game...</i></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>The Basics:</h4>
<p>The San Antonio Spurs are, well, amazing. Despite winning 50 out of 66 games last year people STILL thought they'd somehow slip this season. Well, they are sitting at 18-4 and are #1 in the entire Western Conference after playing more than a quarter of their games this year. They're a good team, and a great franchise. And this year is no different. We've all heard the adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," well, the Spurs are all about that it seems. They resigned <span>Tim Duncan</span>, <span>Boris Diaw</span>, Daniel Green, and Patrick Mills as free agents this last season, and their only significant off-season splash (besides hiring <span>Scott Layden</span> as their assistant General Manager) was to bring in French rookie guard Nando de Colo. </p>
<p>This year the Spurs have 7 guys scoring at least 9 ppg and while on paper they don't scare you with their bigs -- they kill it with points in the paint with all their guard scoring. The theory set by the Jazz coaches of yore was that you could win a game if you worked hard for layups. The Spurs prove that theory correct. (Of course, the Spurs also win a game in a lot of other ways as well, they are good.)</p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>History:</h4>
<p>Historically I'm not a big fan of the Spurs, I respect what they do, but I revel in beating them. It doesn't always happen now-a-days, so it means so much more now when we do. All time the Jazz are 73 and 91 against the Spurs; however we have a 53 and 28 advantage at home. Last season these two teams played four times in the regular season -- with the Spurs throwing game #3 for rest -- and that one thrown game almost ensured that we would face off again in the playoffs. The Spurs swept the Jazz unceremoniously going 4-0.</p>
<p>THIS season things looked better as the Jazz put up some fight falling to the Spurs 110-100 on their court on November 3rd. We're not a good road team, but we didn't back down when it looked bad. We're at home this time around and we're a great home team.</p>
<p>Thing can be different tonight . . . but the Jazz will need to continue to play selfless team ball and help each other on defense. No team makes a living out of forcing their opponents to make mistakes like the Spurs do. This is going to be a good measuring stick game for us. We know we can beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a> -- we're supposed to. We've beaten the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> twice this year too. But can we beat the Spurs and get the proverbial Ginobili off our backs?</p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>Scouting, Stats, and Stereotypes:</h4>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1870589/G23_SAS_at_UTA_-_Teams.png" target="_blank"><img alt="G23_sas_at_uta_-_teams" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1870589/G23_SAS_at_UTA_-_Teams.png"></a> <br id="1355366544735"></p>
<p>The Spurs are a very good team, but we're not without our own talents as well. This year (and last) the Spurs have been exception on offense. They work together to get the best shots, always. They have the most assists this season, and their offense is Top 5 in almost everything. They don't get a lot of offensive boards -- but they hardly ever miss. They aren't without flaws though. Turn overs could be a problem if we are active enough. We're #4 in steals, and they are #19 in TOV%. For a direct comparison, they are #6 in steals, but we're only #8 in TOV%. We take care of the ball better, and we're #2 in assists this year.</p>
<p>The other contention will be rebounds. The Jazz give up a lot of offensive rebounds to the other team (we're 28th in DRB%), and the other team averages 12.3 offensive rebounds a game against us. Really. That's average for this year. That's 29th in the league. The Spurs don't get a lot of their own misses, but that's because they are so few and far in between. It would be abject failure to give them more chances to hurt us because they are already so efficient on offense. On the side side of the floor, the Spurs are really good at protecting their glass (12th DRB%) while we average 13.7 offensive rebounds a game and are 2nd in ORB%. We're going to need extra chances against them, and they're going to do their best to stop that.</p>
<p>Both teams lead the league in three point ability this year -- I think getting hammered by them in the playoffs necessitated this move. I'm glad it happened. Alas, let's look at FTA. We are 8th best at getting to the line as a ratio of FGA, and we're 4th best at getting to the line period (25.2 FTA a game). This isn't going to happen against the Spurs. So again, against a contender, we're going to get hosed. And the game hasn't even started yet. I image they shoot more than we do -- even though they're 17th in the NBA in FTA/GM, but we're 4th.</p>
<p><font color="white">X</font></p>
<p><font color="white">X</font></p>
<h4>Injury Report:</h4>
<h4>Spurs Injuries --</h4>
<ul>
<li>
<span>Kawhi Leonard</span> (SG/SF) OUT -- Leonard is out with right knee tendinitis. He's only 21 so he's a bit early for the Spurs to start sitting for age reasons. Snark aside, Leonard is a perfect player for the Spurs and it is clearly a good thing that he's out. Last game <span>Gary Neal</span> started in his place and, well, Neal finished with 29 points (7/10 from downtown) in 35 minutes of action. So . . . well. Welp, even. It doesn't necessarily get easier with Kawhi out. But it is BETTER that he is out.</li>
<li>
<span>Stephen Jackson</span> (SF/SG) OUT -- S-Jax is going to miss 4-6 weeks with a broken right pinkie finger. I actually have no idea how long ago this injury was, but he has only played 10 games this year. Jackson is another great Spurs player, and I'm happy he's not going to be playing -- but this just streamlines what they do and with him being out there's more overt playing time available to give to <span>Danny Green</span> and Manu Ginobili. So, it's not easy for us when they have all this quality talent on their team at the wing spots.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Jazz Injuries --</h4>
<ul>
<li>
<span>Derrick Favors</span> (PF/C) OUT -- I'm presuming he's not back yet from his plantar fasciitis just yet, because no one tweeted me about it. I'm fine with that. <span>Enes Kanter</span> is on a hot streak right now (he's no <span>C.J. Miles</span> -- but no one is), and he should be capable of providing and producing when called upon, even if it is against the Spurs.</li>
<li>
<span>Raja Bell</span> (SG) OUT -- Someone gotta camp out early for tickets for Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. Raja is there to do it . . . "<a target="_blank" href="http://picsthatdontsuck.com/img/you-have-my-word-bow-axe.jpg">you have my flagrant foul</a>."</li>
</ul>
<p><font color="white">x</font></p>
<h4>Advantage --</h4>
<p>The homer in me sees this as a disadvantage. The realist in me sees this as making the teams a little more equal in the talent department. Neal is fast and can hit threes. Manu is Manu. And Danny Green plays like an All-Star against the Jazz. The Spurs are still super effective from the wing spots even with these injuries. We're less deep when <span>Jeremy Evans</span> is our 4th big, and our bigs pick up fouls against the Spurs like other people pick up pennies in the street. I'm siding with the homer me, and saying the Spurs have the advantage.</p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
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<h4>The Game:</h4>
<p>The Spurs are in game two of a three games in four nights stretch. Sadly, we're the game after the night off; and not taking advantage of tired legs. San Antonio last played on Monday, an over time game in Houston; and are well rested. They play in Portland tomorrow night. They aren't looking past us to focus on the Blazers, they are a sub .500 team. So was and is Houston. So in effect, we're the game circled on the schedule this week for San Antonio. Well, we are at least until their home game on December 15th hosting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a>. So, we're almost on their radar. We're not someone they're going to overlook though. They have that killer instinct and want to get back to discouraging us. If we play hard and fight that's exactly what they don't want. So I expect them to come at us hard in the first quarter. It's what good teams do.</p>
<p>We're even more rested than they are, as we last played in Sunday. The Jazz are nursing a three game win streak right now, and it sure would be great to extend it. I think it should be an after thought though. The Spurs are going to be ready for us and want to say good night to us early. We're at home and should try to keep those old guys up later than they'd want.</p>
<p>The Spurs do the same thing to us over and over again, so we should ALSO be ready for them. Will the end result be any different this time around? I think it can be -- but it's not going to be easy. We can't make life hard on ourselves by coming out soft and slow. Points in the first quarter count as much as points in the fourth do. And I would love to have our wings counter attack theirs and support our inside game.</p>
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<h4>Player Focus:</h4>
<p>For the Jazz tonight, in lieu of better floor spacing, improved three point attack, and greater sharing on offense -- at the end of the game if it's close we're going to have to slow it down and fight a precision game against the Spurs. The focal point will be Al Jefferson. Jefferson's idol in the NBA is Tim Duncan. Jefferson was one of the few players in the playoffs to step up for us, and he ended up playing better than both his regular season stats or his regular season numbers against the just Spurs displayed. We're going to need Al to be Big tonight. He proved in San Antonio in November that he can score one on one against Duncan. He was efficient down the stretch and able to get it done against a Hall of Famer.</p>
<p>The Jazz will need a lot of that tonight as I kind of think our hot shooting can't last forever. I want Al to succeed. And in order to get there, sadly, it means having to go through the Tim Duncans and <span>Marc Gasol</span> s that he'll have to face this week. He had his way with <span>Dwight Howard</span> already this week. I believe Al is capable of being great on any given night. Tonight would be an awesome night to be great.</p>
<p>And for our Jazz, we're going to need him to kill it on the defensive boards and help up on Spurs dribble penetration. It's hard, and they're the best in the league at getting -- but we need to get stops too. And bereft of a Mark Eaton / <span>Greg Ostertag</span> / John Amaechi -- we need a big guy to lay down the law at the rim. It's not going to be <span>Paul Millsap</span>, he's too small. It's not going to be Enes Kanter, as he's too focused on man defense. It's not going to be Derrick Favors as he's injured. So we're going to need Al to do it on both sides of the court tonight.</p>
<p>He already has a hurt back, but here I am putting more stuff on him to carry. But I know he can do it. That's why I write these things I do!</p>
<p><font color="white">X</font></p>
<p><font color="white">X</font></p>
<h4>X-Factors:</h4>
<p>If the Jazz are able to get easy baskets in this game we'll be in it. If we have ineffectual transition opportunities or be forced to take bad shots then we'll be in for a very uphill climb. We're at home, we run better at home, and the crowd gets into it. We have athletes on this team from <span>Marvin Williams</span> and <span>Gordon Hayward</span> as well as guys who do great in transition three point attempts in <span>Mo Williams</span> and Randy Foye. The key to easy baskets, though, is effort. No one can question the effort <span>DeMarre Carroll</span> brings. With him we have a chance to get some easy buckets. And if we do, we'll be in this game.</p>
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<h4>Word from the Badguys:</h4>
<p>IF I HAD REGULAR 9/5 HOURS YOU WOULD GET MORE OF THESE. NEXT WEEK! I PROMISE!</p>
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<h4>As an aside:</h4>
<p>I imagine that today Scott Layden and Dennis Lindsey met and exchanged a lot of inter-office mail that was delivered to the wrong address.</p>
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<h4>Fearless Prediction:</h4>
<p>Jazz win, why? Because it's 12 / 12 / 12.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Meme_stockton_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1869841/Meme_Stockton_medium.jpg"></p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2012/12/12/3760944/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-gameAllThatAmar2012-12-12T18:40:39-07:002012-12-12T18:40:39-07:00Spurs @ Jazz -- Media Notes
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/F5yn0-wNFidtvejm8jsoHb_SgWA=/0x0:800x533/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4894241/jazz_media_notes.0.png" />
<figcaption>AllThatAmar</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Game #23 • Energy<em>Solutions</em> Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • December 12, 2012 • 8:30 p.m. (MT) • TV: ESPN and ROOT Sports • RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes </p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 23:</h3>
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> (18-4) at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (12-10)</h3>
<p><u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2012/12/12/3760924/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-game-23">#SASatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a></u> -- <u><span>Spurs vs Jazz coverage</span></u></p>
<p><i>The measuring stick game...</i></p>
<p><font color="white">.</font></p>
<h4>The always amazing Media Notes produced by the Utah Jazz:</h4>
<p><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4GUxx6hfuUaNTZzaDhEM1VjRVE/preview" height="480" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p>Let's go Jazz!!</p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2012/12/12/3760932/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-mediaAllThatAmar2012-12-12T18:33:34-07:002012-12-12T18:33:34-07:00Spurs @ Jazz -- Starter
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8zSDhYGujVGaFod4Z50-9f_WCDk=/0x17:560x390/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4893671/20120507_ajw_ai4_127.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Game #23 • Energy<em>Solutions</em> Arena • Salt Lake City, UT • December 12, 2012 • 8:30 p.m. (MT) • TV: ESPN and ROOT Sports • RADIO: 1280 AM/97.5 FM and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes </p> <h3>NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 23:</h3>
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> (18-4) at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (12-10)</h3>
<p><u><a target="_blank" href="http://www.slcdunk.com/jazz-game-streams/2012/12/12/3760924/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-game-23">#SASatUTA Game Stream</a></u> -- <u><a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a></u> -- <u><span>Spurs vs Jazz coverage</span></u></p>
<p><i>The measuring stick game...</i></p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2012/12/12/3760908/nba-regular-season-san-antonio-spurs-18-4-at-utah-jazz-12-10-game-23AllThatAmar