Usually letting the other team shoot 49% from the field, 9-21 from three, and 36-42 from the line results in a loss. And it may have well been that way any other night.

But behind Boozer’s 33 and AK’s 25, the Jazz offense prevailed over the Kings, 127-113. Boozer had the better stat line of the night, but I think Kirilenko was the MVP of the game. He was 6-8 from the field and 10-12 from the line. He also had 6 boards, 6 assists, and 4 blocks. He also had all the intangibles that don’t show up in the stats. There were a ton of altered shots such as Bibby’s that went off the top of the backboard because he was trying to get it over AK. And how good is his jump shot now? I really didn’t think that it would ever come around. But he has been shooting so well that you expect them to go in now. You can tell in his stroke that the ball is going to fly straight. I don’t know what it was about it before, but you could tell that he didn’t have a smooth shot.

Deron Williams had another great night with 16 & 14. I have to admit he seems to be regaining that post-season swagger that he had last year. And I’ll repeat it again, I hope he doesn’t get picked for the All-star team and that he takes it personally. He seems to thrive when he feels the need to prove something. I think it could lead to a great stretch for the next couple of months for the Jazz. And it will make it so much sweeter when Paul and the WC-leading Hornets come in here before the break and get blown out.

And starring in the disturbing reality show that is Ron Artest, Ron Artest. I know a lot of his game is to try to get into players’ heads and throw them off their game. But this guy is messed up. I can see Rodman and Mike Tyson sitting on a couch watching him play and having the following conversation:

Rodman: Do you see that?
Tyson (putting down pig ears): Dude scares the $%&@# out of me. I threatened to eat his children and he gave me his favorite recipe.

I mean, is there anything that Artest could do that would cause you to think, “Man, I can’t believe he did that.” There’s nothing, right? Insane.

Now we’re off to Houston on Sunday for the deciding game 9 of the 2006 playoffs (or so Yao would say). It goes without saying that this is the biggest test for the Jazz during this recent stint of success. It’s on the road first of all. And second, the resurgent Rockets are playing well. And as of this writing, they’re leading Portland at Portland by 6 with a little over three minutes to play. And it doesn’t get easier with SA coming to town next week.

UPDATE:  Portland loses to the Rockets at home.  Jazz are now tied for second in the NW and 1 1/2 behind Denver.

Other notes

• The newest contest for your email address and contact information for marketing is called True Blue. You get to work for the Jazz for a day in one of their departments on game night. First of all, this would be cool. But True Blue is a blatant rip off of the Utah State Aggies. This is what True Blue is. Of course some say there’s a real True Blue club if you know what I mean. First BYU rips off Aggie blue, and now this.
• Great quote from Bailey in the post game, “You know AK is going to always give it up.”