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Show Statesman Sports Page 12 Great Summer Jobs Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 Jazz on fire against Ph in California for the largest family-owned pest control company in the US. 100% commissions up-front. Gas & cell phones paid. Check out www.clarksummerjobs.com or call now 877-899-1205 II• ■CLARK :I• PEST CONTROL Nor IFI ' A i t* Vitag textbook ones.sj Deron Williams, starting point guard for the Jazz has averaged 21.5 points and 9.5 assists since returning to play after a wrist injury held him out of two games. Patrick Oden photo By STEVE CLARK staff writer We on't the cheap est We fin octua\ e-0 500000 much rn How about them Jazz? As any Jazz fan can tell you, the Jazz have a slight problem of beating the first-place teams and losing to the last-place teams. Well, in case you aren't that avid fan, let me fill you in on how our beloved Jazz are doing. Since the fall semester ended in December, the Jazz were able to keep a .500 record at 8-8, picking up key wins against the Lakers, the Magic and the Mavericks. But if you know the Jazz, they also dropped two should-have-been wins to the last place Timberwolves at home and their Western Conference rival Hornets. To give the Jazz some credit, nine of the last 16 games have been away, including a five-game road trip, but three uncharacteristic losses came at home, and that is the cause for concern. "We gotta start winning games," Jazz guard Ronnie Brewer said. "We let a lot of games go that we should have won." If they can't protect home court, how are the Jazz going to have any hopes of making the playoffs with their constant road woes? I don't believe there is too need for concern, for I bring good news from the EnergySolution Arena. After watching Monday night's game against the Miami Heat, I could see the old Jazz shaking off the rust and getting into playoff hunt mode. Could this be a sign of them finally starting to play to their potential or is this just another one of those streaks that just get's our hopes up? I have reason to believe that they are finally, almost at mid-season now, hitting their stride. Star center Carlos Boozer played with a lot of energy, pumping up the crowd with big dunks, and forward Andrei Kirilenko, filling in for the absent forward CJ Miles, started as strong as anyone and finished with the high after the first quarter, with eight points. "I think I started the game good, with good concentration, and the guys did a good job tonight," Kirilenko said. I had the opportunity to watch small forward Kyle Korver go through his pregame shoot-around with his shooting coach and former Jazzman Jeff Hornacek, and he was shooting like he had never suffered an injury at all. He was able to contribute by shooting a couple three-pointers on limited playing time. I predict that Jeff will have him in sniping threes for the Jazz again in no time. "I'm not quite there yet, but it felt good to get out there and help out," Korver said. "It's fun. I love basketball." The Jazz defense was as good as it has ever been all season, holding the Heat to only 89 points. I was impressed with the way the Jazz defense was able to quiet the explosive and underrated Dwyane Wade to 13 points. "I think we're playing great defense these last two games, and I hope it stays like this," Kirilenko said. "I've stressed this all year long: If we pass the ball, we're a better team," point guard Deron Williams said. "It gives guys confidence and open looks. I thought we've done probably the best job all season tonight of making that extra pass and giving up a good shot for an even better one." The only player who did not see time on the court was guard Ronnie Price due to tendinitis in his left shoulder, and with the trade of rookie backup point guard Eric Maynor, the depth at that position was in question. I would say there is nothing to worry about in that department either, because of an addition BRI.0/ no on ralSOONAQUISMON UNIT 5.com! "I saved by using BIGWO textbooKs ave been weI l h could ve My textbooKs wFrom my researching sad IGWORD5 one site, oVer $5oo just I went to multiple sites,money. but also an and bought all MY booKs, and onlY Paid iPhone appuf bough around $2oo!" Chandler from BE SMARTER Institute GeorgiaTechnology of 20%-60% cheaper than other online stores on average* Saves $225 on average multi-item textbook ordersa 50% cheaper than bookstores on averagen * BIGWORDS lowest price vs. average lowest price from each online store. BIGWORDS lowest price with shipping vs. retail without shipping. BW79 Commute FARE FREE! That's How We Roll. U 11, IN/6r 1.0 INV MIINIIMIF ••• •••• . ■ I Amur ■•• ■• ■ www.cvtdbus.org to the roster in rookie Sundiata Gaines. Gaines moved up from the D-league and played well in his time relieving Williams and looks completely competent enough to fill in for Price. "We're still competing," Brewer said. "We're getting the majority (of our team) healthy. Guys are doing really well. We're riding Booze, AK and D-Will right now." "We're definitely happy to have every one back," Williams said. "I think one thing we were banking on at the beginning of the season was our bench and our depth, and we haven't had that for a lot of the season." With a healthy roster and some added firepower from a win over a Miami Heat team, who, according to Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, "we hadn't beat for six years," the second half of the season sounds and looks pretty promising for us longwinded Utah Jazz fans. —steve.clark@aggiemaiLusu.edu CARLOS BOOZERS (FRONT) DRIVES on Udonis Haslem (back) during Monday night's 118-89 Jazz routing of the Miami Heat. PATRICK ODEN photo BRIDAL FAIRE Sat., Sept. 23 lOAM to 5PM USU Student Center 2nd Floor Fashion Shows 12, 2 & 4 pm UtahStateUniversity MOAB EDUCATION CENTER • • ., To find out more, contact us at: (435) 259-7432 • moab.usu.edu • 1 ; www.bridalfaire.org Everything to Plan Your Wedding! Free Admission - Free Parking - Many Prizes |