Post by repole on Nov 6, 2005 20:54:46 GMT -5
Jazz Suffer Crushing Game 7 Defeat
Kirilenko boo-ed by fans.
UTAH--A magical season for the Utah Jazz ended last night, certainly not how the Jazz had planned for. After winning a dramatic game six to tie the series at three games a piece and force a game seven, the Jazz appeared to have the momentum in their favor. However a Miami Heat team which had been dominant at home all season quickly made the Jazz forget about their win the night before.
Antoine Walker holds back tears as he watches his dream slip away.
The first quarter of game seven saw the Heat take a 23-19 lead, as the Jazz struggled to find any sort of grove offensivly. Shaq quickly established the inside game for the Heat, causing Eddy Curry to get into foul trouble and only play 26 minutes.
Curry had no anwer for Shaq.
The second quarter for the Jazz was better than the first, closing the game to within one point at half time. Kirilenko continued to struggle, a trend all game long, and Curry barely played at all. Walker came off the bench and energized the team, however the Heat established a fast tempo, a style the Jazz weren't as well suited for.
The Jazz made good adjustments at the half, slowing the tempo down again in the third quarter. However the Jazz failed to execute at all offensivly. Kirilenko didn't have a single field goal on the quarter, and Curry was neutralized by Shaq in the post. Posey continued to hold Vince Carter in check, though Posey himself went all game without scoring any points. The third quarter ended with the score 71-67, and the Jazz in need of some offense quick.
Unfortunatly for the Jazz, their Offense was no better in the fourth quarter, scoring just 19 points. Kirilenko missed two big shots down the stretch, as the Jazz suffered the most crushing defeat in franchise history. Again the Jazz had come so far, but not been able to take a championship home. Malone and Stockton could never get by Jordan, and it appears this Jazz squad is still one step away.
Kirilenko will have to earn back the respect of Jazz fans after a terrible game 7.
The future is bright however. Frustrated fans must remember that the Jazz are still one of the youngest teams in the league. Things will only get better, and for a team which made it all the way to game 7 of the UBL Finals, that has to be exciting. UBDL standout Danilo Gallinari is expected to make a major impact on next year's Jazz team, as the front office hopes he is enough to put them over the top. One thing is for sure though, this time next year the Jazz will be in the thick of things, contending for the title once again.
Kirilenko boo-ed by fans.
UTAH--A magical season for the Utah Jazz ended last night, certainly not how the Jazz had planned for. After winning a dramatic game six to tie the series at three games a piece and force a game seven, the Jazz appeared to have the momentum in their favor. However a Miami Heat team which had been dominant at home all season quickly made the Jazz forget about their win the night before.
Antoine Walker holds back tears as he watches his dream slip away.
The first quarter of game seven saw the Heat take a 23-19 lead, as the Jazz struggled to find any sort of grove offensivly. Shaq quickly established the inside game for the Heat, causing Eddy Curry to get into foul trouble and only play 26 minutes.
Curry had no anwer for Shaq.
The second quarter for the Jazz was better than the first, closing the game to within one point at half time. Kirilenko continued to struggle, a trend all game long, and Curry barely played at all. Walker came off the bench and energized the team, however the Heat established a fast tempo, a style the Jazz weren't as well suited for.
The Jazz made good adjustments at the half, slowing the tempo down again in the third quarter. However the Jazz failed to execute at all offensivly. Kirilenko didn't have a single field goal on the quarter, and Curry was neutralized by Shaq in the post. Posey continued to hold Vince Carter in check, though Posey himself went all game without scoring any points. The third quarter ended with the score 71-67, and the Jazz in need of some offense quick.
Unfortunatly for the Jazz, their Offense was no better in the fourth quarter, scoring just 19 points. Kirilenko missed two big shots down the stretch, as the Jazz suffered the most crushing defeat in franchise history. Again the Jazz had come so far, but not been able to take a championship home. Malone and Stockton could never get by Jordan, and it appears this Jazz squad is still one step away.
Kirilenko will have to earn back the respect of Jazz fans after a terrible game 7.
The future is bright however. Frustrated fans must remember that the Jazz are still one of the youngest teams in the league. Things will only get better, and for a team which made it all the way to game 7 of the UBL Finals, that has to be exciting. UBDL standout Danilo Gallinari is expected to make a major impact on next year's Jazz team, as the front office hopes he is enough to put them over the top. One thing is for sure though, this time next year the Jazz will be in the thick of things, contending for the title once again.
