Jazz vs. Hawks: Reaction and Analysis to 4-Overtime Thriller in the ATL

Quarters were on sale Sunday at Philips Arena.

Fans that bought four got four free overtime periods.  And the Atlanta Hawks were rewarded for their generosity with a 139-133 triumph over the Utah Jazz.

Tweets of the Night

ESPN Stats & Info shed a little light on just how unique the quadruple OT occurrence really was:

"

Hawks-Jazz game is first 4-OT game since 1997 when the Suns beat the Trail Blazers 140-139.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 26, 2012"

While the fans in attendance were surely pleased to be part of history, according to IamaGM, the players couldn’t say the same:

"

Jazz vs. Hawks quadruple overtime.The players look like they don't want to be here anymore.

— IamaGM.com (@IamaGM) March 26, 2012"

Along with the players, ESPN’s John Hollinger is thankful the game didn’t go into five overtimes.

"

Have been told that stats systems can't handle a 5th OT and they have to do dictation and type it up later.

— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) March 26, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

The game wouldn't have survived to go into three overtimes if it weren't for Joe Johnson's heroics in the second.

Grades for Utah’s Key Players

Al Jefferson: A

Before fouling out, Jefferson had recorded 28 points and 17 boards, carrying the Jazz and helping them keep pace with the Hawks.  Devin Harris’s off night forced the big to step up and he did just that, but to no avail.

Paul Millsap: A-

Like Jefferson, Millsap fouled out, which led to Utah’s demise.  Like Jefferson, though, the Jazz wouldn’t have been in the game without Millsap’s 25 points and 13 boards.

Grades for Atlanta’s Key Players

Josh Smith: B-

Smith didn’t exactly have the most efficient night from the field, going 9-of-26 shooting.  Still, his 10 boards and six dimes were key to the Atlanta win.

Joe Johnson: A

Johnson looked like the old Joe Johnson when he was not with, but playing to get the massive contract.  He dropped a game-high 37 points and added eight boards, leading the Hawks to victory.

Deciding Factor: Foul Trouble

Jefferson, Millsap and C.J. Miles all fouled out on the night for the Jazz.  Atlanta only had one player foul out in Smith, giving it a huge edge in the closing minutes.

Game MVP: Joe Johnson

Thirty-seven points doesn’t look that impressive when a player has 20 extra minutes, but the Hawks still couldn’t have won without his hot shooting night.  Zaza Pachulia does deserve an honorable mention MVP vote, though, after inhaling 20 rebounds.

What’s Next

Utah will look to bounce back at the New Jersey Nets’ house on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.  Atlanta gets a well-deserved night off before it travels to Milwaukee to face off against the Bucks on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels