Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- To say the Jazz were disappointed after their 107-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday would be an understatement.
"It's tough, man, because we were right there," said Jazz forward Paul Millsap to the Deseret News. "To lose a game by two points, especially to a team that you know you can beat, that you're supposed to beat, you know, it's tough."
For the Jazz, it was their second consecutive home loss. Overall, their fourth in the last five games and their fifth in the last seven after winning six straight.
Steve Nash, who only scored 13 points in the game, was able to produce when his team needed him the most, hitting two clutch shots with under 15 seconds remaining. Nash hit a jumper with 14 seconds remaining and another with 1.7 seconds remaining, after the Jazz had tied the game.
The Jazz had a chance to tie or win the game in the closing seconds, but C.J. Miles missed a three-pointer and Millsap’s tip-in was a tenth of a second too late.
Jazzman Al Jefferson, whose last-second tip-in attempt against Sacramento last Friday was also a hair late, knew that Millsap’s shot didn’t happen in time.
"I knew it wasn't good. I walked off," Jefferson told the Deseret News. "It's tough to lose any game. It just makes you realize what mistakes you made during the game that cost you. Every little thing cost you."
The loss to Phoenix was costly, dropping the Jazz to 10th place in the Western Conference, one half game behind the Suns and one and one half games behind the Nuggets and the Rockets.
The Jazz (28-27) look to get back into the win column tonight as they face the Golden State Warriors (21-32) at EnergySolutions arena.
The Warriors rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 97-94, on Wednesday. David Lee led the Warriors with 31 points, and rookie point guard Charles Jenkins, who is filling in for the injured Stephen Curry, scored seven of the team’s final nine points.
Jenkins, the second-round draft pick out of Hofstra, scored the go-ahead basket with 20 seconds remaining.
"I've always practiced those situations as a kid," Jenkins told the San Jose Mercury News about being the go-to guy when the game is winding down. "I think every kid practices the five-four-three-two-one or taking the big shot."
The win over the ’Wolves snapped a six-game losing streak.
The Jazz and Warriors have played three times this season, with the Jazz winning two of the three games. In their last meeting, the Jazz beat the Warriors in a 99-92 overtime thriller.
The game takes place at 7 p.m. at EnergySolutions Arena and will be televised by Root Sports.
Jarrod is a freelance writer who writes Jazz previews for KSL.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @jarrodhiatt.
