Wow...where to begin.

I don't think I was alone in turning off the game after the first quarter.  The Jazz managed 7 points, 7 turnovers, shot 16.7%, and were down 20.  However, some great bench play by Kofous and Korver in the 2nd, combined with some tenacious defense, helped the Jazz cut the deficit to 8 by halftime.  I'll admit I didn't watch the second quarter out of protest, but I did check in on the box score.  In the third the Jazz continued to chip away thanks to some renewed vigor from Deron and Memo, yet still trailed by 6 going into the 4th.  Again, I will admit some continued pessimism toward this game, even at this point, so I was watching the game while also playing Bioshock and wasn't 100% glued until about 5 minutes left.  Jerry seemed, let's say, displeased at some of Javie's officiating and kindly offered to spend the rest of the game in the locker room, but after that the Jazz went bonkers.  They took the lead for the first time at 77-76, only to see the Nets score 4 quick points to regain the lead (one bucket was after another Harpring miss, how can anyone justify playing him over Korver at this point?).  THEN....the Jazz smelled blood.  Millsap scored on an O rebound and Korver hit a curling jumpshot (the shot that Harps USED to make), then the dagger: after 2 misses by the Nets, AK misses a layup but Mansap recovers the ball and passes out to Memo who swings to Deron who swings to Korver....3 ball!  Jazz up 4.  After 3 free throws from 'Sap, 4 freethrows and a jumpshot from Memo, and 2 Vince jumpshots, it was a 14-4 run that pretty much sealed the deal.

The Jazz scored 7 points in the first quarter and still scored 100 points.  Millsap recorded yet another double-double, as did Deron.  Memo and Korver (??) were one rebound shy.  On the other side Vince Carter had 32 points and Devin Harris had "only" 21 points and 11 assists, I expected him to be in the high 20s.  No matter which way you slice it, the Nets gave this one away.  If you allow 96 points over 3 quarters, you probably aren't going to win.  One of the best moments was late in the game when the Jazz had locked it away, the Nets broadcast showed a clip from the last time the Jazz won at the Meadowlands.  John Stockton (yeah, it was that long ago) missed a baseline jumpshot but AK tipped it in with no time left, classic.

On a strange note, CJ and Brewer did not play at all in the second half.  I didn't have the audio on so I don't know if they got hurt or what, but AK and Korver started the 3rd.

Once again, the odds-makers manage to make me look really stupid.  I hope no one is actually making wagers based on my guesses!  But, as I said before, picking against the Jazz is win/win.  If I'm right, I was smart enough to pick them to lose; if I'm wrong, I'm happy!  Hopefully the Jazz can carry this momentum into Friday's game at Detroit (even though we have OWNED them over the last few years) and then Saturday in Chicago where they HAVE to win because I will be in attendance.

ESPN recap and boxscore

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