Deron Williams returns as Jazz dominate Grizz

Utah’s All Star point guard Deron Williams returned to the lineup after missing seven games due to a relapse of a pre season ankle injury and helped the Jazz rout Memphis 117-100 in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night.  The 117 points represented Utah’s highest point output of the year, with much of the credit for the outburst given to the return of their offensive sparkplug.  Williams scored 11 points and added 15 points in his first game back and his presence alone gave the Jazz a visible boost in their energy and tempo.

The Jazz have suffered through a spate of injuries lately, and played Wednesday night without their star power forward Carlos Boozer.  The impact of his absence was minimized by the stellar play of Paul Milsap, who started in place of Boozer and scored a season high 24 points and 16 rebounds.  The modest Milsap gave credit for his performance to Williams’ return:

"It's back to reality with Deron on the court. We know we play better with him.”

Mehmet Okur added 21 points and 10 boards for Utah, and was amazed at how quickly Williams got back into the flow of the game:

"I was a little bit surprised but in a positive way because he's been out for a while. But he was great. He looked sharp out there, condition-wise, passing-wise and shooting-wise."

Even the team’s usually taciturn head coach, Jerry Sloan, expressed his pleasure at Williams’ return to action:

"We're just glad to have Deron back. In the open floor, he gets guys the basketball. That's what makes him such a great player and when someone can get you the ball in the open court, you run harder."

Rudy Gay led the Grizzlies with 27 points, while O.J. added 22 points.  The stat sheet, however, revealed the liabilities that cost them the game—Utah out rebounded Memphis 44-30 and held a 31-15 advantage in assists. 

The Jazz were off a rare home loss on a last second shot to Chicago on Monday night.  Before the loss to the Bulls, Utah had won 14 straight and 33 of 34 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City.  Milsap succinctly stated the Jazz’s challenge to dominate on their home floor, observing that "We know we're not supposed to lose any here in this arena.”

In typical fashion for a Utah Jazz player, Williams downplayed his own accomplishments and credited his teammates for making his return to the lineup so easy:

"We had some highlights tonight. We did a good job of getting out and running and they guys did a good job of finishing for me. I'm still a little hesitant physically. I got a little nervous down around the basket, but it felt pretty good. I know my limitations right now. I'm not going to come back and score 25, but I can do my part and get guys shots, and try to run the offense.”

Despite Williams’ return to the lineup, the Jazz remain challenged by their injuries—in addition to Boozer, Kyle Korver, Brevin Knight and Jarron Collins remain on the injured list.