Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Jazz Damage Nuggets Run to Playoffs

Okur scores 20 and grabs 15 rebounds as Utah downs Denver

By Mitch Pritchard,  Newser User

Posted Apr 13, 2008 6:21 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Mehmet Okur had 20 points and 15 rebounds, Deron Williams added 19 points and 11 assists, and the Utah Jazz beat the Denver Nuggets 124-97 last night to strengthen their hopes of home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Jazz won three of four against their rivals for the third straight season and kept the Nuggets from moving closer to the final Western Conference playoff berth.

Carlos Boozer and Ronnie Brewer each scored 20 points and Jason Hart added 12 for the Jazz, who improved to 53-27. They now have their most wins since going 53-29 in 2000-01. Allen Iverson scored 28 and Carmelo Anthony had 22 points for the Nuggets, who rallied from a 16-point deficit to take a brief lead but never recovered after a 12-2 third-quarter run by the Jazz.

Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson (3) heads to the basket past Utah Jazz guard Ronnie Price (17) during the first quarter of the NBA basketball game Saturday, April 12, 2008, in Salt Lake City.
Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson (3) heads to the basket past Utah Jazz guard Ronnie Price (17) during the first quarter of the NBA basketball game Saturday, April 12, 2008, in Salt Lake City.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Utah Jazz forward Mehmet Okur (13), of Turkey, looks to pass against the Denver Nuggets last night Okur finished the night with 20 points. The Jazz beat the Nuggets 124-97.
Utah Jazz forward Mehmet Okur (13), of Turkey, looks to pass against the Denver Nuggets last night Okur finished the night with 20 points. The Jazz beat the Nuggets 124-97.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Denver Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza, of Lithuania, keeps Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko (47), of Russia, from the basket last night.
Denver Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza, of Lithuania, keeps Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko (47), of Russia, from the basket last night.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (15) shoots between Utah Jazz forward Mehmet Okur, of Turkey, and Utah Jazz guard Ronnie Brewer (9) last night.
Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (15) shoots between Utah Jazz forward Mehmet Okur, of Turkey, and Utah Jazz guard Ronnie Brewer (9) last night.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

NBA scoreboard
NBA.com

 
NBA • basketball • Denver Nuggets • Utah Jazz • Deron Williams • Carmelo Anthony • Allen Iverson • Carlos Boozer • Mehmet Okur • Ronnie Brewer • Jason Hart

More Newser Stories

Utah Dances Past Denver in OT

Kirilenko, Jazz Tie Series with Overtime Win

Utah Sends Houston, T-Mac Packing

Jazz Embarrass Spurs, 90-64

Mavericks Can't Get Past Jazz
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne