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will lose.
Utah (48-28) at Golden State (37-40)
Utah (48-28) at Golden State (37-40)
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 10:30 pm EDT Mon Apr 9, 2007
TV: FSUT, FSBA Add to Calendar
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By DAN PIERINGER, STATS Writer
The Utah Jazz could have a nice cushion in their battle for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but ugly fourth-quarter performances in their last two games have kept that race close.
After blowing double-digit leads in back-to-back losses, the Jazz look to bounce back when they visit the Golden State Warriors on Monday.
Utah (48-28) has been outscored 71-37 in its last two fourth quarters, blowing a 17-point lead in its loss to Sacramento on Friday and a 22-point lead in a 106-103 loss to Seattle on Saturday.
"It looked like we hadn't played with each other," coach Jerry Sloan said. "That's what happens when the pressure gets on you a little bit. We've got to learn how to deal with it."
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The Jazz have clinched the Northwest Division le, giving them a top-four seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They will start the playoffs on the road, however, if the Houston Rockets finish with a better record.
Utah helped its cause with a win in Houston on April 1. Since then, the Jazz have lost three straight to give Houston some hope heading into the season's final days.
Deron Williams had 24 points and 13 assists on Saturday -- his 29th double-double of the season -- but the Jazz went 1-for-6 with two turnovers in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter. They were outscored 39-16 in the period.
"If you look at the second half, we gave them what they want," said forward Mehmet Okur, who also had two turnovers in the fourth. "They score every time they catch the ball. We cannot play this way in the playoffs."
While the Jazz are fighting for home-court advantage, the Warriors (37-40) are trying to earn their first playoff berth since the 1993-94 season. Golden State's 12-year playoff drought is the longest active streak in the NBA.
The Warriors had won four in a row, but took a step backwards on Saturday, losing to San Antonio 112-99. They are currently in ninth place in the West, one game behind the Los Angeles Clippers with five games left on the Golden State schedule. The Clippers play seven more games before the playoffs.
All five starters scored in double figures on Saturday for Golden State, which struggled against one of the best defenses in the NBA after averaging 118.0 points during its winning streak. The Warriors took a two-point lead early in the second half, before losing for the 19th straight time in San Antonio.
"I'm glad everyone came out and played hard, they gave it all that they could," said Jason Richardson, who scored a team-high 23 points. "We just need to make smarter decisions. It was just a hard-fought ballgame. It was just one of those games where we couldn't turn the corner."
The Warriors should benefit from a return to Oakland, where they are 27-11 this season. Golden State has won seven of its last eight at home, while the Jazz have lost eight of nine on the road.
Utah has a 2-1 edge in the season series heading into Monday's finale. The Jazz, though, lost their only previous game in Oakland this season, 91-78 on Nov. 25.
will lose.
GS got this!
Is Barnes suspended in this game?
pUtah by double digits
he never got a suspension.... just a fine i believe
Lets go Jazz.
GS trying to sneak into 8th seed.
Jazz trying to hold onto 1-L lead over Rockets for 4th seed and first-round HCA.
GS could certainly take it if they play anywhere near how they did vs Mavs.
Utah 48-28 (Road: 19-20)
clippers 39 losses after the loss tonight
40 for gs they pick up a game if they win tonight
Warriors putting the hurt on the Jazz. What has happened to Utah lately?
The Warriors chances of slipping into the playoffs are looking better now. The Clippers still have to play the Lakers and Phoenix, while the only playoff team on the Warriors' schedule after tonight is Dallas (which could turn out to be a very interesting game).
A better question is how good are the warriors?
They seem to have the sort of momentum that Sacramento had towards the end of last season. A dangerous team that poses matchup problems, but not one that could take the Mavs in a series. In any case, it would be much more fun to watch the Mavs play them than the Clippers.
Looks as if GS will pass the Clips in the standings for the moment.
lakers 38 losses
Warriors got hot three years ago and spoiled by wins for some teams (Kings winning the division, for one). And didn't they get hot two years ago end of season also?
good enough to put a scare in the mavs in the first round
lets do this warriors! im pulling for a warriors/mavs first round... i would love to see biedrins swat a few balls right back into nowitzkis face
2003/2004, after a nine game losing streak, Warriors went on to win the next 7 games, 12 of their last 17 regular season games. They quashed the Kings their last game of the season, when they had nothing but pride to play for. Kings gave up the division banner during that game.
2004/2005, Warriors won 14 of their last 18 games of the season.
The Warriors will indeed put a scare into the Mavs if they meet in the first round. And no, before you all jump on my back, I'm not saying they would win the series for sure. But it's not completely impossible.
the warriors are killing the jazz........... warriors up by 25...... bout to be 26 after a T on fisher
gs next 5 games
Mon, Apr 9 Utah 10:30 pm tonight game
Fri, Apr 13 at Sacramento 10:00 pm
Sun, Apr 15 Minnesota 4:00 pm
Tue, Apr 17 Dallas 10:30 pm
Wed, Apr 18 at Portland 10:00 pm
Could run the table. I could see them take the Lakers place if the Lake Show continue to tank.
I wonder if Kings will remember that division banner NOT hanging in Arco this Friday.
hmmmmmm......
, doubt if it makes much of a difference. There, I said it.
I want to see the Warriors in the PO's AND be a fly on the wall when Maloof's answer questions about why they didn't ringy dingy up Nelson before hiring Musselman.
the last couple of games have been brutal for the jazz...4-6?!?!?! golden state looks good, i'm looking forward to having them play the mavs, hope nellie sees fit to wear that fuschia colored shirt he wore the other night for the warriors/spurs game
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