Taking Care Of Business

The first round playoff series in the Western Conference in the NBA is kicking in high gear. No sweep in sight in the series as the eight teams in the west engages in a nip and tuck battle. For the fifth seed Utah Jazz, getting the Game 4 win was a must-win situation so that they will not be down one game to three and instead tied the playoff series at two games apiece.

Game 4 last night at the Jazz home court, EnergySolutions Arena at Salt Lake City in Utah, was so intense in which the Jazz led from the start of the game and they never let the Nuggets get a taste of the lead. The Jazz played with urgency. Behind Carlos Boozer who posted 31 points and 13 rebounds, a huge double-double performance that allowed them to get pass the gritty Nuggets led by the double-double performance of Carmelo Anthony, 39 points and 11 rebounds. Deron Williams added 13 assists aside from 24 points, facilitating great offense for the home team.

This game was so intense and very physical from the start. It is a typified game between the 4th seeded Nuggets and the 5th seeded Jazz. Bodies were flying all over the place and the referees seemed to be reluctant to blow their whistle. The refs allowed the game to be played competitively for both team yet have the control of the game. The Nuggets started out strong, but the Jazz had their own strong start as well with the first quarter ended with the home team having six-point cushion, 31-25. The second quarter saw another see-saw battle between the two teams, but the Jazz was able to stretch their lead to 8 point.

The lead ballooned to 20 points in the 3rd quarter and it seems like the Jazz were on their way in tying the series. The fourth quarter saw the Nuggets mounted their runs to slice the lead, but the Jazz players were able to maintain the lead as the time expired. The game ended with the Jazz on top, 117 to 106. This game was a fitting follow up to their Game 3 affair last Friday where the Jazz outscored the Nuggets by 12, 105-93.

The Jazz and their fans are hoping to get a win on Wednesday night’s game 5 at Denver. Winning the Game 5 would mean the Jazz advances to the next round and wait for the playoff series between the defending champion Lakers and the rising Oklahoma City Thunder.

Nancy Smith is one of the owners of RobbinsSports.com, an online retailer specializing in Baseball Uniforms and Gym Bags