At the Jazz-Nuggets Game

I went to the Jazz-Nuggets game. It was tremendous. Since the Nuggets traded away Nene and lost Danilo Gallinari, they're a different team. The Jazz handled them with ease. The defense was porrous but the offense flowed smoothly and everyone got a highlight.

I feel bad for Earl Watson to have lost his spot in the rotation. He does a good job of running the team but he's not a good shooter. Jamaal Tinsley can do just about everything Earl does, but he's a little better at shooting. Watson and Jeremy Evans got into the game with about two minutes to go and were able to get in a couple Early-Oops.

My wife decided Kenneth Faried is a good-looking man.

Now going into Atlanta, with the Hawks on their third game in three days, this was a game for the taking. The Jazz played the first half selfishly and lethargically, with little effort on defense. Al Jefferson in particular was getting his offensive numbers but showed no effort on D. Jazz were down 55-40 at halftime. Ten minutes into the third quarter they had the lead back. They played like a different team.

The fourth quarter went well. The Jazz had control. Then coach Ty Corbin put his starters back in with about five minutes to go. The Hawks instantly went on a 7-0 run. They had a chance to win at the end, but it went to overtime. The five starters stayed in. Then a second overtime. Then a third, each overtime ending with the Jazz missing a shot that would've sealed the victory. The whole time I'm dying for Corbin to put Favors and/or Burks back in there. The Jazz looked gassed. In the fourth overtime, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and CJ Miles all foul out, and they wind up losing 139-133.

I'd pin that loss on the coaching staff, not recognizing how they could slip some energy guys in and out, not seeing how they were trading layups. But even with that loss, the Jazz are 7th in the West. 4th seed is very attainable.

Other notes:

- Last night's jumpshot contest in the overtimes was one of those times the Jazz could've used Josh Howard's confidant mid-range game.

- The Jazz didn't take enough advantage of Kirk Hinrich's defensive disadvantage on Gordon Hayward.

- Whatever disagreement Raja Bell had with coach Corbin a couple weeks ago, the Jazz are showing they can get by just fine without him.

- If I was coach, I'd yank my starting five after about six minutes against the Nets tonight and let Tinsley, Burks & Favors get at least 24 minutes apiece. Give Kanter at least 15. Hopefully Devin Harris and Favors play with a little extra energy going aginst their old team.