The Jazz last won in San Antonio in February of 1999. Pokemon, Harry Potter, and the new Star War's movie The Phantom Menace were all the craze. President Clinton was acquitted by the United States Senate in his impeachment trial. And gas prizes were around $.99/gallon.
The last time the Utah Jazz won in San Antonio, the Spurs weren't even playing in the AT&T center. Karl Malone, John Stockton and David Robinson were all starting for their respective teams and Kosta Koufos, the youngest player on the Jazz had just turned 10 years old.
The Utah Jazz (8-4) hope to stop that trend tonight as they face the San Antonio Spurs (5-6) tonight in the AT&T Center. The Jazz will be without Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, and Jaron Collins. Deron Williams is a game time decision. The San Antonio Spurs will be without Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker.
The Utah Jazz have faced injuries all season long which has allowed for the role players and bench players for the Jazz to step up. The Jazz bench has averaged 41.4 points, 11.6 assists, 5.6 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game.
The Utah Jazz will need the bench, led by AK-47 and Paul Millsap, to play their very best if they hope to have a chance to beat the Spurs tonight.
5 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
lycent ghost 7 months ago
I'm not sure what it is about that arena that gives the Jazz trouble. It certainly isn't the players (since both teams have had significant change since then). Maybe Sloan just tells the team that they can't win in SA and to just give up...
If the Jazz want to break that curse, they'll have to work extra hard tonight being as they are a bit depleted on bigs.
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Diana Allen 7 months ago
Jerry does seem less confident in his comments in the papers and in interviews with anything regarding San Antonio. Hopefully the players can help him break that mind-set.
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Brandon Johnson 7 months ago
I think the idea of a curse and the pressure that comes from breaking it does take its toll. Look at the Cubs or the Red Sox pre '04. The problem with consistent losing in anything is that when one thing goes wrong, it snowballs as players' confidence falls. You get the collective feel of 'here we go again' and you get too down on yourself. It's something Jerry has preached all along. It's about Attitude, and I don't know if the Jazz can do it tonight with all the injuries in addition to the remaining pressure. Remember, this team takes teams lightly when they are weaker, especially on the road, and the Spurs without Parker and Ginobli are, by definition, weaker than they should be.
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Robert Kleeman 7 months ago
I was probably as shocked with the 119-94 result as you. If you want my perspective on the Spurs season, check my profile for the article.
However, I wouldn't count this as a long-term building block win for the Spurs. The Utah Jazz played without Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams, and the Spurs cannot be expected to keep up the torrid scoring with Parker and Ginobili out.
I wish I had seen the game instead of following it on snail slow NBA.com.
I did have a feeling though that the Spurs would find a way to win this one. They needed the psychological boost after falling to the Nuggets 91-81 at home Wednesday.
Since it doesn't seem from the box score like either team played defense, save for some by the Spurs in the third and fourth periods, I have to look at the three point accuracy of the San Antonio as the big culprit in this win.
I still wonder if Utah has improved enough defensively around the basket and can use its bruising physicality without fouling. I was at the game in early December when Manu Ginobili willed the Spurs to a win with a 37-point effort. The Jazz had a chance to win but could not stop hacking the attacking Spurs. Of course I was thrilled at the result then and also tonight since a win without two All-Stars is a win.
Less fouls, more defense. Thoughts?
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Diana Allen 7 months ago
I'll definitely have to check out your articles, Robert.
The Jazz have been playing much better defense this year without fouling. You can tell it's something they're focusing on. Not apparent by the SA game. That whole game was just embarrassing, why the Jazz never show up to play there is beyond me.
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