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MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Utah Jazz simply outworked the Milwaukee Bucks. Mehmet Okur had 14 points and 14 rebounds and Gordan Giricek and Deron Williams also each scored 14 points in Utah's 88-80 victory Saturday night. "They came out and played hard and we didn't match their intensity," Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts said. "We fought our way back tonight and got it tied up. At that point I thought we had it turned around, but we didn't." The Jazz rebounded from a loss Friday night in Indiana. "We had stretches all night long," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "I have confidence in these guys, if we execute." Utah opened the game strong, holding Milwaukee without a point until Mo Williams made a jumper with 7:18 left in the first quarter. The Jazz led 25-13 after the first period and extended their lead to 16 at 29-13 with two quick baskets in the second quarter by Andre Owens and Greg Ostertag. Milwaukee, which won Friday at Boston, cut it to 38-32, outscoring the Jazz 14-6. Toni Kukoc scored nine points in the run for Milwaukee. Utah didn't relinquish the lead, however, until the Bucks went on a 8-0 run to grab a 63-62 lead on two free throws from T.J. Ford. Utah responded with a basket from Owens, but Ford sprinted quickly downcourt and made a jumper -- Milwaukee's fifth made shot in a row -- to give the Bucks a 65-64 lead. Ostertag then made one of two free throws to tie it at 65 to end the third quarter. Utah star Andre Kirilenko left the game in the second quarter with a back injury after playing 17 minutes. Matt Harpring (knee) didn't play after receiving a cortisone shot after Friday's game. The Jazz opened the fourth quarter with a 12-2 run to make it 77-67. "That's the way we play every game," Utah's Gordon Giricek said. "We always try to play hard defense and help each other." Michael Redd led the Bucks with 19 points. Ford added 16 and Jamaal Magloire had 14 points and 16 rebounds. Notes:@ Milwaukee played without starting forwards Joe Smith (knee) and Bobby Simmons (shoulder). ... Andrew Bogut, the top pick in the NBA draft last summer, had two points and four rebounds in 21 minutes for the Bucks. ... The Bucks, third in the NBA in 3-point percentage at 41 percent, were 3-for-15 from 3-point range.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-12-17-05 2203MST
