Upper Bowl Jazz Fan

Jazz take a commanding series lead over the Denver Nuggets

// April 28th, 2010 // 2010 Playoffs

Game 4 was a huge game for the Jazz.  It was a chance to take a 3-1 lead on the Nuggets and virtually close the series.  Or, with a loss, it would rob the Jazz of the advantage they gained by winning Game 2 and tie the series up at 2-2.

The Jazz showed up ready to play and scored the win.  Despite losing their nearly 20 point 4th quarter lead, the Jazz held the Nuggets off and secured the win.

Energy Solutions was packed despite the rare Sunday game.  It’s crazy to see pictures from other arenas that looked empty at the start of other playoff games.  I, for one, am glad to live in a city that LOVES the NBA and our team.

Carlos Boozer was huge for the Jazz.  He appeared to have learned from his mistakes in Game 3 and attacked the basket…and often.  His outside jumper was falling for him too which made him nearly impossible to guard.  He went off for 31 points on 13 of 19 shooting, tallied 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.  Finally!  Power Forward-like stats.

Nene, Birdman, and Kenyon Martin were unable to make a huge difference in the game.  Nene went to the line 12 times but was kind enough to make only 6 of his Free Throw attempts.

Deron Williams dominated again going for 24 points, 13 assists, 4 rebounds, and a steal.  He went to the foul line 12 times making 10 of them.  He was aggressive and, as a result, put Chauncey Billups in foul trouble ending with him fouling out with a few minutes left in the game.  Watch this crossover to 3 pointer over Nene…

CJ Miles played an impressive game and only had a couple of lapses back to “Bad CJ” with 5 turnovers and a few ill-advised shots.  Notwithstanding, he went 8 for 15 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line for 21 points.

Wesley Matthews overcame a poor start to the series by going 7 of 11 from the field, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block and 0 turnovers.

Both Matthews and Miles played great defense on Carmelo Anthony.  39 points from Melo might suggest otherwise but his 5 fouls and 9 turnovers are more telling.  He nearly had a triple double…of the bad kind.

JR Smith went 3 for 11 from the field in this game which officially makes him 9 of 890 in the series.  I might have made that last stat up but he’s been terrible all series, this game included.  After the game he called all of the Nuggets’ play selfish which would be as ridiculous as Tiger Woods saying that extramarital sex is bad.

Adrian Dantley seems to not have the confidence of his team and the Nuggets all seem to be feuding with one another as evidenced by Melo chewing out Birdman after he jacked up a 20-footer for no reason.

Now that the Nuggets are down 1-3 I have a hard time believing that they’ll put together as a nearly leaderless team and win game 5.  Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups might have a different plan for Game 5 but if they are the only ones caring the Jazz could steal this series in 5.

Only 8 teams (out of something like 180) have ever come back from being down 1-3.  However, most of the teams that have come back from this deficit have done it having homecourt advantage…as the Nuggets have.  The Jazz can’t afford to get lazy or believe that it’s not a big deal to win game 5 since they’d come back home for Game 6.