Jazz thump TWolves for sixth straight win

Carlos Boozer has finally returned to the lineup from yet another illusory injury, but the Utah Jazz did just fine without him.  Paul Milsap has done an impressive shoring up the interior, and Mehmet Okur and Deron Williams have picked up their scoring pace.  Most importantly, the various ‘role players’ on the team have come up big when needed—on Wednesday night it was rapidly improving shooting guard Ronnie Brewer who scored 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Jazz won their sixth straight and ninth in ten games by routing Minnesota on the road 120-103.

Utah started slowly, and spotted the Timberwolves a four point lead at halftime.  The Jazz began to turn it on in the third quarter, but blew the game wide open during a 37-22 fourth quarter sparked by Brewer’s scoring heroics.  The Jazz have struggled on the road all season, losing ten of their last twelve away from the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City.  Boozer noted after the game that the road win was a much needed boost to their confidence:

"The biggest thing is we won on the road. We can take that home, get ready for honoring Larry this weekend, which will be the most important thing we do."

Boozer was referring to longtime Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, who died last week of complications from his bout with diabetes.  Miller’s funeral service will be held this Saturday in Salt Lake City.

In addition to Brewer’s 20 points, Mehmet Okur led the team in scoring with 25.  CJ Miles added 15 and Deron Williams posted a ‘double/double’ with 13 points and 13 assists.  Minnesota was paced by 24 points each from Kevin Love and Ryan Gomes, with Love adding 15 rebounds for his own ‘double/double’.  Mike Miller added 21, Randy Foye 14 and Sebastian Telfair 10 as the entire TWolves starting lineup posted double figures.

The Jazz return home for what is certain to be an emotional game with the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.  The game will tip off just hours after Larry H. Miller’s funeral, which will also take place in the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City and open to the public.  They’ll travel to Golden State on Sunday and return home for a contest against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.  Minnesota will continue a four game home stand on Friday against the Portland Trailblazers.  Houston will come to town on Saturday, followed by Golden State on Tuesday.