The Utah Jazz | as seen by Basketball John

Andrei Kirilenko wiped away those tears and played like the AK-47 of old.  He was the main component in Utah’s 94-82 win over Houston. Kirilenko was responsible for McGrady’s 8-23 shooting and made multiple hustle plays including stripping the ball from McGrady on a couple occasions, altering the layup of Howard, and and swatting Yao.  Speaking of thugs, that was a classy play on the part of Howard after Okur faked the three and caused Howard to foul him.  It wasn’t enough that Howard ran into okur, he had to grab him and throw him to the ground.  After he was whistled for the foul, he drew a technical and made contact with Dick Bevetta.  We’ll have to see what comes of that.  He could miss game 7.  He hasn’t contributed that much, but he does spell a couple of the starters.  This would force Van Gundy to play more of his already weak bench.

In addition to AK, the other story of the night was the return of Okur’s three point shot.  He also played fairly well on Yao.  The way Okur and Boozer played him, I was kind of surprised at Yao’s line: 9-16 from the field and 7-9 from the line for 25 points.  Yao didn’t seem to get good shots off all night.  He did have several dunks though.  One of the telling stats that showed how well they played him were the 8 turnovers. 

Once again it came down to containing McGrady and Yao and make the others beat you, and they couldn’t.  Alston was the only other Rocket in double figures and that required 5-14 shooting.

The Rockets live and die by the three.  Tonight they were a miserable 6-21 while the Jazz made 7 of 15.

This series should have been over by now with the Jazz waiting for the winner of the Golden State-Dallas series.  But now they have to return to Houston.  It’s going to take a game like tonight, especially for Okur and AK, for them to pull it out.  I expect McGrady to come out firing, trying to dispel his critics.  He’s never made it out of the first round, and should it happen again, that could be his legacy.

The series has lived up to its billing.  Game 7, Saturday!

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