Deron Williams scored 39 points, but the San Antonio Spurs scored at will en route to a 112-105 victory over the Utah Jazz. Williams fought hard to break Utah's losing streak, scoring 29 points in the second half. But San Antonio's guards seemed to match him basket for basket, and the Spurs maintained a 10-point lead for much of the second half.
Spurs Vs. Jazz: Utah Loses Again, Despite Deron Williams’ 39
Manu Ginobili scored 26 points, and Tony Parker added 23. The duo also combined for 13 assists. Williams' backcourt partner, Raja Bell, unfortunately was unable to provide the needed defense on Manu and any offense; Raja didn't score in 34 minutes before fouling out. If Jerry Sloan is really searching for answers to fix his team's plight, someone (like Williams, perhaps) ought to start coughing maniacally and pointing at Bell.
Only half of Utah's frontcourt showed up, too. Al Jefferson scored 22 points and pulled in nine rebounds, but Paul Millsap struggled with eight points and three rebounds in 18 minutes. Millsap has scored 11 or fewer points in six of his last seven games. The Jazz need more from that spot, especially if the team's getting nothing from the two-guard position.
But, as Zach Lowe explained earlier this week, Utah needs more Millsap on the defensive glass, more than anything.
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