Boozer revives Jazz
So much for Carlos Boozer’s slump and the Lakers’ unbeaten run through the playoffs.
Boozer scored 27 points and tied a career playoff high with 20 rebounds to lead Utah to a 104-99 victory in Salt Lake City Friday night, cutting Los Angeles’ lead in the Western Conference semifinals to 2-1.
The Jazz handed the Lakers their first loss of this season’s playoffs and got back into the series by doing at home what they couldn’t do on the road. The Jazz hit exactly half their shots and forced the Lakers into 18 turnovers, looking little like the team that stumbled through two straight losses in Los Angeles to open the series.
“We competed very hard, much better than we did over there. That’s what happens with a young team,” Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. “We made mistakes, but we kept playing hard. Before, we made mistakes and we felt sorry for ourselves. Tonight we kept playing hard.”
The Jazz took the lead early in the second quarter and never gave it up. Utah held off a late push by the Lakers and league MVP Kobe Bryant, who had 34 points, seven assists and six rebounds but could not carry the team alone. Nobody else scored more than 13 points for Los Angeles.
Utah’s offense was stagnant in the first two games, but the Jazz started hitting from the outside and moving the ball around enough to clear the inside for the layups their offense is designed to create. Boozer started slowly, but finished 12 for 21 and had 11 points and seven rebounds in the fourth quarter.
Boozer’s 27 points were two more than he scored in the first two games combined.
“I tried to stop thinking so much out there. My teammates were waiting for a big game out of me and I was too. … I had to play thought-free and just react and play,” he said.
Carlisle new Mavs coach
Rick Carlisle will be the new coach of the Dallas Mavericks, a decision expected for nearly a week but slowed by contract negotiations.
The papers aren’t signed yet, but team owner Mark Cuban confirmed in an e-mail to the Associated Press that an oral deal is in place.
He replaces Avery Johnson, fired the morning after the Mavericks’ second straight first-round playoff exit.
Cavs’ Wallace doubtful
Cavaliers starting forward Ben Wallace is doubtful for today’s Game 3 of Cleveland’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics because of allergies and a left inner ear infection.
Wallace started but played less than 4 minutes in Thursday night’s game before he became dizzy and asked to come out. He staggered to the bench and had to be assisted by his teammates before the Cavs’ training staff stepped in.
Nash expects D’Antoni back
Despite rampant speculation that Mike D’Antoni is headed to Chicago or New York, Phoenix point guard Steve Nash expects his coach to be back on the Suns’ bench next season.
“This is the last thing I’m going to say about our coaching situation: Mike’s my coach,” Nash said. “So I expect to see Mike back here next year. And I know there’s a lot of stuff going on right now, but Mike’s my coach. I love playing for him.”