NBA Basketball Matchup
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Utah Jazz |
New Jersey Nets |
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| Teams |
|
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| Utah Jazz |
203½ |
204½ |
204 |
| New Jersey Nets |
+3½ |
+3½ |
+4½ |
Odds subject to change |
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 After the New Jersey Nets rebounded from a dismal Western Conference road trip by beating the reigning Eastern Conference champions, forward Richard Jefferson said he was glad to be playing against the NBA's weaker conference again. The Nets' reprieve, however, didn't last long.
The Nets hope to build on their first win this month on Saturday when they host the Northwest Division-leading Utah Jazz, who are looking for their eighth win in nine games.
New Jersey (27-38) beat Cleveland 104-99 on Wednesday night in their first game after an 0-5 road trip against the Southwest Division that extended New Jersey's losing streak to six games - all against West opponents.
Wednesday's victory was just the second in eight games for the Nets since the debut of point guard Devin Harris, who joined the team in a blockbuster trade that sent Jason Kidd to Dallas on Feb. 19.
"If you're trying to establish an identity, it's hard to do it against San Antonio back-to-back, against New Orleans, Dallas and Houston on a 20-game win streak,' said Jefferson, referring to the West powers that beat New Jersey on the trip. "It's difficult, but no one here was looking down or been upset. We were frustrated, but it's going to take time. It's good to be back in the Eastern Conference."
The game was hardly a cakewalk as the Cavaliers are one of only five teams in the East with a winning record, but the Nets placed six players in double figures and fell one assist shy of their season high of 31. Jefferson led the club with 24 points and went 8-for-11 from the field.
"It was a really good team win," said Nets coach Lawrence Frank, whose club plays 14 of its remaining 16 games against East opponents following this meeting with Utah. "You look at all the guys who had assists and all the different guys who scored. Hopefully we can use this as the blueprint to how we're going to play."
The Nets might need a similar performance to beat a surging Jazz team that's won seven of its last eight games to improve to 26-6 since Jan. 8.
Deron Williams made 17-of-18 from the foul line and scored 32 points as Utah (44-23) beat league-best Boston 110-92 on Friday night.
"I tried to take over a little bit," said Williams, averaging 21.0 points, 14.0 assists and shooting 51.3 percent during Utah's 7-1 run. "It was time for me to assert myself a little more."
Friday's win was especially significant for a Utah team that has gone just 16-20 on the road. The Jazz, though, have won four of their five games away from home in March.
"These are the games you circle on your calendar," said Utah forward Carlos Boozer, who added 17 points and 12 rebounds. "It was a big win for us on the road."
The Jazz have dropped six of their last eight against the Nets, but routed them 102-75 on Nov. 19. Williams led Utah with 20 points and six assists in that game, while Jefferson paced New Jersey with 22 points.
Pick: Utah Jazz
Result: Lost
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