New Orleans Hornets unable to continue momentum in 96-84 loss to the Utah Jazz
By John Reid, NOLA.com | The Times Picayune
on November 28, 2012 at 10:49 PM, updated November 29, 2012 at 6:28 AM Print
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Instead of taking advantage of the momentum gained from Monday night’s big victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, the New Orleans Hornets suffered a setback similar to what they experienced during their recent seven-game losing streak. The Hornets struggled defensively, turned the ball over 19 times and couldn’t avoid low-scoring quarters in Wednesday night's 96-84 loss to the Utah Jazz before 10,693 at the New Orleans Arena.
Although point guard Greivis Vasquez and center Robin Lopez both scored 18 points, the Hornets were held to 19 points in the second quarter and scored just 17 in the third to enable the Jazz (9-7) to build a 17-point lead early in the fourth.
"We had one of those games where we looked like a young team,'' Hornets Coach Monty Williams said. "Some of our young guys were making mistakes where they knew it when they made it.''
Enlarge Brett Duke, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune New Orleans Hornets power forward Jason Smith (14) reacts after being fowled during second half action against the Utah Jazz in the New Orleans Arena Wednesday, November 28, 2012. (Photo by Brett Duke, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune) Hornets vs. Utah Jazz gallery (11 photos)
It was the Hornets' eighth loss in nine games, but they were were coming off a 105-98 road victory against the Clippers that ended their seven-game losing streak. New Orleans (4-10) faced a Jazz team that had lost seven of its previous nine games on the road. The Hornets also had won the previous three games against the Jazz at the Arena, which dates to last season. The Hornets got their first win of the season by beating the Jazz 88-86 Nov. 2 at the Arena.
But this time around Jazz forward Al Jefferson was a force inside, scoring a game-high 19 points. The Jazz also made six-of-11 3-pointers, its post players were more aggressive and its reserves shot at a higher percentage than the Hornets’ backups. The Hornets had stretches when it appeared no one could make a shot. During a four-minute stretch after halftime, the Hornets didn’t make a shot from the field going 0-of-4, including 0-of-3 from 3-point range. Early in the quarter, Vasquez tossed up a pass to forward Al Farouq Aminu but the ball sailed through his hands for a turnover. With that kind of miscues, the Hornets were outscored 31-17 in the third quarter.
New Orleans Hornets center Robin Lopez lauds Utah's Al Jefferson's craftiness Says he could have been more disciplined defensively. Watch video
The Hornets also had miscues like in the first quarter when Aminu easily went around Jefferson but couldn’t avoid stepping out of bounds for a turnover. Rookie guard Austin Rivers came into Wednesday night’s brimming with confidence after having a breakout 14-point performance against the Clippers. But Rivers came off the bench and missed four-of-five shots before finishing with two points."We didn't get in rhythm tonight,'' said forward Jason Smith, who missed seven of eight shots before finishing with seven points. "Shots were not going in for us. We had a tough time getting stops and points. It was just an overall tough game for us.''
New Orleans Hornets Coach Monty Williams talks about loss to Utah Jazz New Orleans Hornets coach Monty Williams talks about the loss to Utah Jazz at the New Orleans Arena Wednesday, November 28, 2012. Watch video
Forward Ryan Anderson had averaged 22.3 points in the previous three games and came in leading the NBA with 46 made 3-pointers, but he struggled Wednesday night. Anderson missed six of seven 3-point attempts and went 2-of-8 from the field and scored seven points. Anderson missed all five attempts from the field in the second half."We know what we need to do win, and we could have played a lot better,'' Anderson said. "They just came out and played with a lot of energy.''
New Orleans Hornets forward Jason Smith cites lack of rhythm Shots don't fall in 94-84 loss to Utah. Watch video
The Hornets made 15 of 25 3-point attempts against the Clippers, but made only five of 21 against the Jazz. The Hornets didn’t mount a run until the fourth quarter when backup point guard Brian Roberts scored nine points that helped the cut the Jazz's lead it to seven with 5:14 remaining. But the Jazz was able to maintain its edge after getting big shots from Jefferson and backup forward Gordon Hayward, who scored 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter.Playing without rookie Anthony Davis for the sixth consecutive game because of a left ankle injury, the Hornets’ lost their third consecutive game at home since beating the Charlotte Bobcats 107-99 on Nov. 9.
New Orleans Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez calls loss to Utah Jazz 'hurtful' Game lost in lopsided third quarter. Watch video
The Jazz's starting frontcourt of Paul Millsap, Marvin Williams and Jefferson combined to score 51 points and grab 18 rebounds. Millsap, a Louisiana native, scored 16 points and Williams, who suffered concussion symptoms after hitting his head on the court after a fall, also scored 16."It's a road win, and that's what we came out to get,'' Jazz Coach Tyrone Corbin said. "We toughed it out. I thought we played better in the third quarter and we were more aggressive in our cuts on the offensive end. Our defense pick it up and we got our hands on a lot of balls and get some easy baskets.'
What's with all the close-up pictures of the players looking like they're about to cry?
BRPelican45with the amazon alert for when jerseys go on sale so he can beat out other Pelicanfan
gon be funny if pelicans come up n people like "damn, pelicans just dominated us"
It looks like someone had just told Vasquez that Taco Bell would be closed by the time his interview was finished.What's with all the close-up pictures of the players looking like they're about to cry?
Either that or they found out that they're gonna be playing for the Pelicans next year...
hey dumb dumb I don't care
yeah right .............
So you care more about the Spurs ticket prices than your precious team?
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