NBA admits mistake on OKC Thunder vs Utah Jazz

“On the final play of last night’s Oklahoma City-Utah game, the officials missed a foul committed by the Jazz’s C.J. Miles on the Thunder’s Kevin Durant during a 3-point shot attempt,” NBA president of league and basketball operations Joel Litvin said in a statement.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5064972

Inasmuch as I want a clean match, I did research on the matter thoroughly. Watch different angles of the video in different videos available throughout the net. Nevertheless, if the NBA admits the “No-call foul” issue on the Oklahoma Thunder vs Utah Jazz match then my case is closed as well.

After the recent loss against Houston Rockets, I hope the Jazz are prepared to face New Orleans Hornets. Last March 21, Utah Jazz has defeated the New Orleans Hornets.

Enter Playoffs

The match between Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz overwhelmed the whole basketball fan community as Kevin Durant and Deron Williams fought hard to improve their team standings as well as proving the whole world that:

… the Thunder’s can beat our Jazz either on their home or on the road…

Or

… the Jazz can beat the Thunder…

Utah Jazz failed to defeat Oklahoma Thunder four times in a row, the last attempt was in Oklahoma’s home-court. See post: Oklahoma City Thunder achieves five winning streaks, back to back lost for the Utah Jazz. The young Oklahoma Thunder wielding one of NBA’s young and top scorer Kevin Durant

Utah Jazz defeats Oklahoma City Thunder at home – Hard fought Overtime

Finally, Utah Jazz ended Oklahoma’s winning streak on them at last. It should have been “Oklahoma City Thunder’s Five Winning Streak against Utah Jazz”.

The game ended 140-139 in favor of the Jazz upon reaching overtime period. Even when the game started a lot of contacts occurred, 78 fouls accumulated and this is a combined foul count for both teams.

It was physical

It was brutal

Almost a lot of fouls wasn’t called… thus the preview of the upcoming playoff games.

Both teams show no mercy in defense and offense, 1^st quarter won by the Utah Jazz by 32-29.

Followed by Oklahoma hammering shots from the arc making Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2^nd quarter by making 36 points against 31 points of the Utah Jazz.

Utah Jazz says no-no as this is our home-court, making 34 points in the 3^rd quarter against 29 points of the Thunder. Deron Williams, Mehmet Okur, Carlos Boozer and the rest of the team don’t want to fail the fans. CJ Miles and Wesley Matthews were astounding too, CJ guarding Kevin Durant is good but could have been better to pressure Kev’s scoring prowess.

But Kevin Durant, you have my respects as you push yourself to put Oklahoma City Thunder to play more minutes in overtime against Utah Jazz.

Overtime – The Controversial No-Call Foul

Now here’s where all the controversy started, after Deron Williams hit a jumper making the score 140-139 there is still 1.1 seconds left. Oklahoma City Thunder called the timeout so that the ball will be inbound inside their half court. The pass is made to Kevin Durant, CJ Miles barely made it in guarding Kevin. He jumped and then CJ jumped… Kevin’s 3-point jumper elevates vertically, CJ tries to block the shot and Kevin Durant threw very short loosing the game for the Oklahoma Thunder.

I tried to watch the play in different videos and angles; at first I thought it was a foul too. I felt the Thunder’s disappointment as I don’t want this to happen too to our Jazz especially the playoffs are coming.

First video I watch is at nba.com, even the sports analyst agreed it was a foul:

Then I try to dig more videos elsewhere, here’s from fsthunder:

Here’s a video from ballhype, titled “Jazz Cheat Thunder…You be the Judge (video):

It’s hard to spot, the angles looked like CJ Miles did some make some body contact, as a video buff myself I get a hold all of the videos then slow-mo`ed each one. Then I finally see what the ref saw, here’s the screenshot:

CJ Miles did have the ball in hand, no body contact and Kevin Durant faked like he got some contacts.

CJ Miles had his left hand on to his belly, while the right hand managed to touch the ball. Kevin Durant made it looked he’d been touched by flopping.

I did managed to see this key points by one of the commenter’s of the video.

1. he got ball before he hit the hand.
2. even if he didn’t get ball, hand on hand should never be called a foul when a guy is attempting to block a jump shot.
3. there was no body contact.
4. Kevin Durant flopped like a fish trying to make the refs decide the game. This was the best part of the call, the ref was like “look dude, don’t look at me to help you win this game do it yourself”.
   phenomenal call.

I’m a man, fan of the Jazz. But I don’t like biased judgments too so I research thoroughly and figure out on my own. I want the Jazz win clean, and throughout my time as a fan I know one thing for sure that each team members of the Utah Jazz fights cleanly.

Here’s a little word for all other Jazz fans, keep “fan etiquette” in mind. As Caled Hicks mentioned his Do’s and Don’t, be a good sport guys. Hope to have this too from the Oklahoma City Thunder fans, especially Kevin Durant fans (winks).

The playoffs are coming, and not only Utah Jazz will have to problem the Thunders’, there’s also LA Lakers where the Jazz had their lost with them too as well. April 2 Utah Jazz visits LA Lakers

I agree with Jeff Winget’s “The Myth of Lengh” article in Jazzbots.com, Lakers petrifies the Jazz and the Jazz needs to snap out of it. They are good, both in offense and defense even we are missing Andrei Kirilenko. Stop being a Superman guys and don’t be afraid of the Kryptonite.

Finally, if you missed the after game interview check out Salt Lake Tribute’s video:

I agree with JR Stewart too that NBA should change for Better Rules Interpretation, let the NBA Players keep it real inside the court. Again for the Jazz fans as well as the Oklahoma Thunder fans, let’s drop the no-call issue. The game is superb, a great preview of the upcoming playoffs.

Tired Jazz | Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets (113-96)

The win against Houston Rockets is essential but the Utah Jazz were too tired to match against the Rockets, Deron Williams with only 12 points, CJ Miles did good with his 12, Carlos Boozer did good with his 18, Mehmet Okur didn’t deliver money with his 9 points, Wesley Matthews was just awful dead tired I guess (who wouldn’t after guarding Kevin Durant) he got no point during that match in his 27 minutes in the game. Paul Millsap with 13 points and Kyle Korver with only 10 points. This is not the usual Utah Jazz team member scores, no one hits 20 above score.

Three players of Houston Rockets, the trio made 20s namely Luis Scola with 24 points, Kevin Martin with 28 points and Aaron Brooks with 28 points also.

The game ends 113-96 in favor of the Houston Rockets, falling the Utah Jazz to the number two seed against 51-27 team standing of the Denver Nuggets. Utah Jazz’s team stand falls short with 1 lost 51-28.

LA Lakers wins | Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers

Gigantic 17-point lead for the Lakers in the 1^st quarter 33-16, I tell `ya it’s a horrible start for the Utah Jazz.

Deron Williams’ cuts down the stretch by 9 points in the 2^nd quarter as Deron Williams rev the game for the Utah Jazz with 18 points, D-Will made a lot of steals that put the Lakers to turnovers.

3^rd quarter started strong again by the LAKERS as Kobe Bryant made his way to the bucket with foul-counted shots. Deron Williams with 20 points 2:15 remaining in the game, Mehmet Okur take his sit as Paul Millsap enters the court, can’t blame Coach Jerry Sloan `coz Memo seems not to be in his tempo.

3^rd quarter ends with 8-point LA Lakers lead, 4^th quarter Paul Millsap takes off that lead to 4 point as Millsap takes the ball by tap as Ronnie Price takes it in the bucket, 71-75 instantly 9:55. However, Kobe Bryant started to make it to the transition. 78-71 at 9:28 but again a 3pointer by the Lakers to make it 78-71.

Mehmeh Okur was fouled, but only takes 1 free-throw to the bucket. It’s just not the night for Memo.

Phil Jackson sure knows how to wake Kobe Bryant, besides Kobe Bryant having his biggest pay ever.

But winning this game seemed to be just a game of follow and catch me as Lakers slowly improving their lead. The game ends 106-92 as LA Lakers wins it for the home fans.

Lamor Odom with a big game of 26 points and made it to triple-double.

Utah Wins | Golden State Warriors vs Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz wins against Golden State Warriors 128-104

Game hosted in : Energy Solutions Arena

GSW	26	23	29	26	104
UTA	40	36	30	22	128

Team Standings

Golden State Warriors moves down with 21 wins and 53 losses, Golden State Warriors have lost to Utah Jazz since

Utah Jazz moves up with 50 wins and 26 losses, currently no.1 in Northwest Division Western Conference, Utah Jazz will be visiting the LA Lakes tomorrow April 2, 2010 and will be facing Oklahoma Thunder again on April 6.

Player Stats for this game:

Golden State Warriors

Reggie Williams (F) – 12 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist

Anthony Tolliver (F) – 17 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists

Chris Hunter (C) – 5 points, 8 rebounds and 1 assist

Corey Maggette (G) – 22 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists

Stephen Curry (G) – 15 points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists

Off the bench players:

Devean George – 3 points, 2 rebounds

Anthony Morrow – 21 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist

CJ Watson – 9 points, 3 rebounds

Utah Jazz

CJ Miles (F) – 8 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists

Carlos Boozer (F) – 25 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists

Mehmet Okur (C) – 18 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists

Wesley Matthews (G) – 18 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assists

Deron Williams (G) – 8 points, 3 rebounds and 19 assists

Off the bench players:

Paul Millsap – 19 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists

Kyle Korver – 21 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists

Ronnie Price – 2 points and 3 assists

Othyus Jeffers – 5 points, 2 rebounds

Kosta Koufos – 2 points, 1 rebound

Sundiata Gaines – 2 assists

Kyrylo Fesenko – 2 points

No mercy

This is what the Utah Jazz should do on all of their upcoming games. Andrei Kirilenko is still out because of Left Calf injury however the reserves are doing well.  Deron Williams, tallied 19 assists for his season high while Carlos Boozer enjoying to put it inside the bucket.

Kyle Korver did well in this game as well, Paul Millsap is great with is defense and offense.

Golden State Warriors, however did have a lot of injured players keeping them heavy even before the game have started. Four players have been reported injured or sick, Monta Ellis and Ronny Turiaf both suffers with flu.

Vladimir Radmanovic with sore right Achilles, ouch…

And Anthony Randolph with sprained left ankle.

Utah Jazz.. hopes for champs

Good Monday for a good start for this week as Utah Jazz sweeps New York Knicks at home with final game score of 103-98; New York Knicks however didn’t leave Salt Lake City without a good fight. This match against New York Knicks move our Utah Jazz to first place in the Northwest Division also put our start players Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer with double-double figures as D-Will scored 23 points and 14 assists while Boozer scored 26 points and 14 rebounds.

New York Knicks Point Guard Rookie Toney Douglas couldn’t keep up with Deron Williams, scored only 5 points, 2 assists and 5 rebounds. Al Harrington however scored 26 points and 17 rebounds that kept New York Knicks’ engine to keep going along with Sergio Rodriguez with 14 points.

Utah Jazz had a hard time with New York Knicks’ defense, usually our Jazz moves away with a game with a long lead differential but winning against the Knicks with only 5-point lead is something hard if you’re against the Jazz. New York Knicks kept firing till the scores got even 84-84 at the 3^rd quarter with only 2 minutes remaining.

If the Jazz didn’t have a good start with their first half, the odds might have turned in the beginning. A lot of tweaking is still needed for our team, the idea is easily comprehended as the Knicks manage to hold the little lead differential to 3-points only. If this is the playoffs or home court of the Knicks, the Jazz might have lost the game. Actually, I hold on to my beer mug till I’m sure the Jazz win. New York Knicks might have stolen this game from our Jazz.

Final Game scores:

Utah Jazz (49-26) – 103

New York Knicks (26-47) – 98

A busy moment for the Utah Jazz Fans

Yes folks, we gonna be busy for the upcoming games.. why?

As I’ve already mentioned, our Jazz secured the first place standing in the Northwest Division,the issue of the Jazz’s Banged Up situation have haunted us for a year now. Without offense nor defense, we all thought the Jazz couldn’t make it.

KFan 1320 AM, David Locke confirms our Jazz’s place in the Northwest Division. His reports about how our Jazz managed to do so makes every Jazz fan happy. They are happy, we are happy, everybody happy. Now the question lingers in every Jazz fan’s heart, are we going to make it to the championships?

Jazzbots already discussed the idea of Utah Jazz winning the championships, true to their words that in the past 25 years our Jazz has never done it after our major star players’ left us for other teams.

Supported by Adam Mason’s Can You Feel It, his analysis fuel every Jazz fans of the desire for our Jazz to win this year. Carlos Boozer has been great after the NBA All-Star, and the long debate of Deron Williams against Steve Nash as the NBA All-Star point guard for this year.

JazzHype’s on the other hand made a little down the neutral idea as he doesn’t want to keep his hopes up too high.

As I’ve seen in these past few weeks, here’s my take on the table. True, the Jazz have been making great maturity recently but sometimes they take things easily with the recent loss to the Indiana Pacers. They could have loss to the higher rankers but losing a game to the low rankers makes a difference. For me, it should be a kill every time. They have to be ruthless till we embrace that trophy.

I do like the idea how the scores blended out evenly to each players, even Andrei Kirilenko is missing in action but our reserves have been a great addition to our starting line-ups. CJ Miles, Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver and the other reserves shares their heat up moment but sometimes they need some tempo to tune the Jazz up to win.

Hitting two birds with one ball game

Tonight our Jazz will have the comfort of home court advantage; the visiting New York Knicks shouldn’t be taken lightly. Utah Jazz already fall from one of the lowly teams like Indiana Pacers, nevertheless not only defeating New York Knicks will give Utah Jazz an edge to the playoffs but also have more chance on June for the draft picking as we own NYK’s first round.

NYK’s (26-46) regular season this year is really bad, well Minnesota Timberwolves is much horrible thought.

Toney Douglas, is expected to match Deron Williams tonight. It has been reported that after New York Knicks’ match against Denver Nuggets last Tuesday night (March 23, 2010). Chauncey Billups, an All-Star point guard gave Toney advices after their matchup.

I respect Toney too, he’s doing good for the Knicks offensively but let’s see if he can manage to defend against our D-Will.

Take a peek from old November 9, 2009 match up of New York Knicks and Utah Jazz.

Washington Wizards 15th straight loss | Utah Jazz vs Washington Wizards Game Results

Utah Jazz last encounter with Washington Wizards was last March 16, 2010, Utah Jazz beat Washington Wizards 112-89, Carlos Boozer scored 23 points, grabs 9 rebounds and performed 2 assist during that game along with Deron Williams with 17 points and 11 assists.

Tonight, Mehmeh Okur grabs the glory in defeating Washington Wizards with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Memo have been playing greatly since Jazz’s defeated Boston Celtics. Deron Williams scored 20 points and proving his League Leadership in Assists making 12 assists for the Jazz. Washington Wizards is going out of the question to play in the playoffs with only 21 wins and 51 loss, they haven’t won a single game since February 28.

This time Coach Jerry Sloan didn’t let Andrei Kirilenko play as he still suffers from left calf injury. Couldn’t agree more as AK wasn’t able to perform well yesterday as Utah Jazz lost their winning streak when they visited Indiana Pacers.

Washington Wizards’s team kept loosing because of player injuries, Al thornton with right hip injury and Randy Roye with wrist injury.

UTA	23	27	30	23	103
WAS	21	22	22	22	87

Team Standings:

Utah Jazz steps up with 48 wins and 26 losses after defeating Washington Wizards.

Washington Wizards defeated by Utah Jazz in their home court in Verizon Center, Washington DC loosing chance to play in the playoffs with 21 wins and 51 losses.

Next Game: New York Knicks vs. Utah Jazz – March 29, 2010 7:00PM in our home court EnergySolutions, Arena, Salt Lake City Utah

Jazz lost, Earl Watson bleeds ear and Danny Granger unstoppable | Utah Jazz vs Indiana Pacers Game Results

I just don’t know what to say when I saw Danny Granger dominates the third and fourth quarter and taking Indiana Pacers to win the game 122-106. It’s just like a superhero came down to the arena and save the day for the Pacers. I’m still in shock, and taking my time tonight to think what went wrong.

I ate my words when I already said that the Jazz will defeat Indiana Pacers, no doubt that I will give credit to Danny Granger for doing so. It’s not everyday that a man steps up and take away a team effort.

Utah Jazz leads the 2^nd half, but Indiana Pacers took the rest of the final half.

I can’t really say what when wrong but here’s what I think.

Memo fires 3-points every now, Utah Jazz leads 45-50 with 7:03 of the second quarter

Great assist by D-Will to Carlos Boozer to lead Jazz 54-45 at 3:16 in the third quarter.

Memo successfully leads the Jazz after a 3-point shot 9:37 in the 3^rd quarter giving the lead for the Jazz with 76-68.

This is the bottleneck of the game,  Indiana Pacers cuts the lead 83-81 1:25 minutes of the third quarter.

Roy Hibber connects with a fou-counted in the paint by a funny lay-up.

Danny Granger fire fueled that he didn’t miss important shots taking the Pacers to lead 90-83.

We lost AK-47 walking away unbalanced to to the bench at the later quarter.

Earl Watson got whacked by D-Will’s Elbow

Danny Granger wins the game for the Pacers with 44 points, 5 assists and 8 rebounds.

Now let’s check this per quarter scores statistics:

Game Final Scores

UTA (47-26)	29	32	22	23	106
IND (27-46)	28	26	33	35	122

Player Stats for Utah Jazz

Andrei Kirilenko (F) – 4 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assist

Carlos Boozer (F) – 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists

Mehmeh Okur (C) – 27 points, 12 rebounds and 1 assists

Wesley Matthews (G) – 11 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds

Deron Williams (G) – 21 points, 12 assists and 6 rebounds

Now, let’s analyze according to stats Andrei Kirilenko played 22:53 minutes. Inasmuch as I love to see AK play, I think this is too much for a returning injured player. I don’t know about Coach Jerry Sloan’s thinking during the game, but this is too much for me. He played 22 minutes and connects only with 4 points which could have given more to other players  that were great when Andrei Kirilenko was missing in action.

Usual scores for the starters are good so far, now let’s check the reserves.

CJ Miles with 7 points,  he did play for 22 minutes but I think he couldn’t keep up the pressure during the later part of the game. Paul Millsap didn’t contribute much as well with only 6 points, Kyle Korver with only 5 and Sundiata Gaines with  3 points. This is not our usual Utah Jazz player game scores which is evenly contributed to all players. I wonder why Coach Jerry Sloan pushed the starters till the end whereas the Jazz is doing good with everybody playing and having fun.

Player stats for Indiana Pacers:

Danny Granger (F) – 44 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists

Troy Murphy (F) – 17 points, 9 rebounds and 1 assist

Roy Hibbert (C)– 14 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists

Brandon Rush (G)– 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists

Earl Watson (G)– 4 points and 6 assists

Only 3 reserves for Indiana Pacers to play with good contribution so far. Mike Dunleavy scored 6 points; Josh McRoberts scored 11 points and AJ Price with 12 points. I just don’t get it why Utah Jazz couldn’t stop Danny Granger making those 3-point shots and the Jazz defense was so open.

Tonight Utah Jazz will be facing Washington Wizards, and I wish to see the usual Utah Jazz where all players enjoy and play as one team.

Next Game: Utah Jazz vs. Washington Wizards March 27, 2010

Trying to take away the pace off the Pacers

Day 2 of Utah Jazz (47-25) 3-day road trip will be facing Indiana Pacers (26-46), our Jazz securing their place in the playoffs while Deron Williams trying to hold his team together. One of the good things when you see a Jazz reeling in for the tune of a good basketball match I’m sure not only a Jazz fan would notice how graceful and exciting when almost every player of the team plays on the floor.

First off, I wanted to start with the bench players. CJ Miles’ game play is starting to mature very well, I always wanted for him to step up. CJ Miles, along with Paul Millsap and Wesley Matthews have helped the team greatly as Deron Williams pushed himself every game in spite of having multiple injuries.

Andrei Kirilenko missing important games that could have equaled Utah Jazz team standings with LA Lakers, Orlando Magic, or Cleveland Cavaliers.

Deron Williams superb passing that put him to the top of the League Leader in Assist not only shows his ability to play well with his team mates but also his keen eyes to see a hole in the opponent’s defense. Mehmet Okur not only standing tall in the paint, can shoot from the arc as well. Every player, starters or bench guys can give you one hell of a game if you keep your guard low. Don’t forget Kyle Korver whose shooting is getting better too.

With the recent awakening after Utah Jazz beaten Boston Celtics, I’m sure Utah Jazz will win against Indiana Pacers. Indiana Pacers have lost to Utah Jazz 4 times straight since December 4, no prediction needed.

Utah Jazz wins 1st road trip | Toronto Raptors lost for the 10th time

Good work for the Utah Jazz, this will serve as an opener to their 3-day road trip. Utah Jazz wins 113-87 beating Toronto Raptors dominantly. Deron Williams played very well tonight as he scored 18 points, 16 assists and eight wow-rebounds.

Here’s a quick peak for the Jazz dominance in every quarter:

UTA	33	28	26	26	113
TOR	17	26	24	20	87

Utah Jazz (47 – 25) now equaled to Denver Nuggets with (47 – 25), Utah Jazz will soon face Indiana Pacers for the 2^nd game (March 26, 2007) and Washington Wizards for the 3^rd game (March 27, 2010) to end their 3-day road trip.

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