Jazz 109, Raptors 101

Kyle Korver scored a season high 20 pts and Andrei Kirilenko had 18 pts off of the bench as the Jazz pulled out their 11th straight win over the Raps, after the Raps blew a fourth quarter lead.  But hey, Raps fans in attendance got pizza!

Did I really think the Raptors would beat a Utah Jazz team on a 10-game winning streak? No, but after watching the Raps play the first three quarters, I thought they could pull it out.  Especially with Carlos Boozer out with injury,  having the advantage of an early start plus the Daylight Savings Time, the Raptors had the edge.  The Raps had a 39-point third quarter to get up 8 on the Jazz which led to another fourth quarter collapse.

To start it out, Jose Calderon got it going early, nailing the jumper to tie it at 22.  Pops Mensah-Bonsu got some early minutes again pulling in 7 boards in 11 minutes of play.  The Jazz led the first quarter 29-24.  Andrea Bargnani had 13 points in the first half  on 5-8 shooting, Kyle Korver had 15 points in the first half as the Jazz kept the lead 49-48 at halftime.

The third quarter was where the Raptors made a statement.  Chris Bosh had a huge game finishing with 30 pts/10 rebounds also had a huge slam to get up 70-65.  Deron Williams answered back with a jumper over Chris Bosh, and then Mehmet Okur hit his own jumper to get within two, 77-75 Raps.  Anthony Parker had a nice dish to Shawn Marion for the slam as the Raps finished with a huge 39 pt third quarter up 87-81 on the Jazz.

AK-47 got the Jazz back in the game scoring a quick 6 points at the start of the fourth quarter to get within two.  Deron Williams had a nice slam to get within one point, as he scored 9 points and 3 assists in the fourth quarter.  The Raps showed some signs of hustle battling for the loose ball:

After a 39-pt third quarter, the Raps only scored 14 points in the fourth as they fell in love with the jumper.  Deron Williams, Paul Millsap and Kirilenko led the way in the fourth quarter to put away the Raps.

Key Notes:

• Deron Williams led the Jazz with 25 pts & 9 assists
• Millsap and Okur both finished with double doubles
• All of the Raptors starters finished double figures with the exception of Shawn Marion who finished with 8 pts and 8 boards
• Bosh had a phenomonal game with 30 pts and 10 rebounds

Raps play the Sixers on Wednesday.

Photo credit: (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)

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