The Jazz blew out the Clippers, 112-90, in a meeting of one-loss teams. Moreover, they did it without (maybe) their best player, Andrei Kirilenko, who sat out with an ankle injury. With the win, Utah advances to 7-1 and a three-game lead in the Northwest. Utah’s success can be attributed to Carlos Boozer’s health and the improved play of Deron Williams. Boozer is averaging 21.1 points and 12.6 rebounds, while shooting a stellar 55% from the field. (Those numbers have to make Cleveland fans cringe.) Meanwhile, Williams is starting to make Jazz fans forget that the team passed on Chris Paul. The second-year guard is averaging 16.9 points and 8.5 assists this season.
In other news, San Antonio won a statement game against the Rockets, 92-84. The Rockets led by 13 at halftime, but a nine-point fourth quarter was Houston’s undoing. Dallas beat Chicago, 111-99, and the Bulls continue to struggle with their chemistry, falling to 3-4 on the season.
