Fri Apr 4 23:13:01 2008

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Utah smothers San Antonio, Spurs tie franchise mark for futility

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Salt Lake City, UT (Sports Network) - Mehmet Okur dropped 17 points and 16 rebounds as the Utah Jazz once again proved their home court prowess by holding the San Antonio Spurs to a franchise-low point total during their 90-64 drubbing of the defending NBA Champions.

Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams each tallied 16 points for Utah, who now own a four-game lead over the Denver Nuggets for the top spot in the Northwest Division. Williams also dished out a game-high 11 assists, helping the Jazz get within a game of the Los Angeles Lakers for the third-seed in the Western Conference playoff standings.

San Antonio matched its lowest point total ever, as the Spurs scored 64 points against Cleveland on March 25, 1997. The Spurs' 26 second half points, however, are now a franchise low for a single half, besting the 27 second half points against Milwaukee on March 31, 2001.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 17 points, as San Antonio saw its eight-game win streak snapped in impressive fashion. Tim Duncan added 15 points and 10 boards, while Manu Ginobili was held to eight points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field. The Spurs are now 1 1/2 games behind New Orleans for the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Spurs controlled the pace of the game in the early going with long possessions on the offensive end and in-your-face defense. Utah shot just 31.8 percent from the floor in the opening quarter and trailed, 24-18.

Both squads shot poorly in the second period, but the Jazz managed several second chance points to offset their misfiring. Utah managed 13 second chance points in the first half, while the Spurs had just one. Following a Kirilenko offensive rebound, Boozer hit a jumper to give the Jazz a 40-38 lead heading into the locker room.

It was the Jazz who maintained the defensive pressure in the early stages of the second half, holding the Spurs to a mere three field goals in the first seven minutes of the new half.

A Ronnie Price three-pointer followed by an Okur bucket gave the Jazz a 53-44 advantage at the 4:58 mark. Andrei Kirilenko, Williams and Kyle Korver each drained a three-pointer in the final three minutes, and Utah led, 64-55 heading into the final stanza.

Utah poured it on in the fourth, scoring the first 13 points and jumping out to a commanding 77-55 lead. Williams was especially effective with the ball in his hands, doling out three assists for easy baskets and adding a pair of free throws.

Damon Stoudamire hit the first San Antonio field goal of the quarter at the 8:11 mark, but by that time all of the Spurs starters had taken a seat on the bench while trailing by 20.

With the game's decision not in question, both squad's reserves battled it out the rest of the way.

Game Notes

San Antonio is 20-18 on the road this season...Utah is 35-4 at home this season...Utah has reached the 50-win plateau for the second straight season...Utah is 2-1 against the Spurs this season...The Spurs held their opponent to under 100 points for the 10th straight game...Utah has won 25 of its last 26 at home...Kirilenko added 10 points for Utah, while Korver finished with 11...San Antonio committed 16 turnovers to Utah's 12...Utah hit 10-of-19 from behind the arc.