Quick Reaction: Jazz 94 – Hornets 90

January 2nd, 2012 | by Spencer Hall
New Orleans Hornets 90 Final
Recap | Box Score		 94 Utah Jazz
Gordon Hayward, SF
1-3 FG | 1-1 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 3 PTS | -11

A bit of a disappearing act from Hayward, who still seems hesitant to put his mark on a game. Looks at times as if he's playing to not make a mistake. Needs to get loose and follow the lead of Josh Howard and Alec Burks and just play with abandon.

Al Jefferson, C
11-18 FG | 0-1 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 22 PTS | +2

Big Al did work, highlighted by a nice finish off a pick and roll assist from Harris, something we haven't seen in a long time from the Jazz. He also mixed a nice little baseline jumper into the mix. Left the game at the end, but was fine after the game and will play Tuesday night.

Raja Bell, SG
0-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | -7

A near trillion from Raja and some intriguing play from Alec Burks and CJ Miles will only continue to stoke the rumors of what kind of blackmail Raja has on the Jazz that keeps him in the starting lineup.

Devin Harris, PG
5-9 FG | 6-10 FT | 1 REB | 5 AST | 19 PTS | +2

Harris is a capable defender when he's interested, which makes me want him to be interested all the time.

Earl Watson, PG
1-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 7 AST | 2 PTS | +2

Provided some nice leadership off the bench.

Josh Howard, SF
3-8 FG | 7-8 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 13 PTS | +12

Howard plays with a good kind of reckless abandon. Even his missed shots seem to be the good kind that lead to offensive rebounds. He's also a wily veteran and knows how to get to the line.

C.J. Miles, SF
5-12 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 11 PTS | +7

Replaced in the rotation by Alec Burks but responded well when he finally entered the game. Made some mistakes but hit big shots and gave the team a spark down the stretch. Post-game quote on Jazz fans: "I love them."
Derrick Favors, PF
4-6 FG | 1-2 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 9 PTS | +4

Still has yet to log his first assist of the season.

Alec Burks, G
2-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 5 PTS | +8

Replaced CJ Miles early in the rotation after getting a DNP-CD in the last game. Brings a nice spark to the team and isn't afraid to shoot.

Enes Kanter, F
2-4 FG | 0-1 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 4 PTS | +1

Shows flashes, but still needs to BEAST when he's near the rim. Missed several shots right at the tin.

Five Things We Saw

  1. Colorado State alum Jason Smith (!) had the night of his life, lighting up the Jazz for 16 points. Most of his shots were underdefended, wide open jumpers due to poor rotations as everybody tried to stop Jarrett Jack.
  2. Jarrett Jack had his way, going for 27 points and dishing out 11 assists. Stopping quick point guards continues to be a problem for the Jazz.
  3. There was no D-Will vs CP3 matchup, but there was also no Fesenko vs Aaron Gray matchup, which was the real tragedy.
  4. The Jazz scored a season-high 50 points in the paint while holding the Hornets to a season-low 32 points in the paint. The Jazz also held the Hornets to just two second-chance points, a Jazz season low.
  5. Other than a day trip to the Bay Area on Saturday, the Jazz will play at home for nearly the next two weeks.

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