JazzFan 4 Life

It's late and this postgame wrapup is also, so we'll keep it short. The Jazz fell to the Heat, 88-86, in Miami. A quick look at the good (and bad) from Tuesday night's loss.

SWEET MUSIC

• Another solid night from Boozer (20 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists), but he disappeared in the 4th quarter. In the last 1:30, the Jazz ran at least three different plays for him, and he settled for jumpers. Would have liked to have seen him take the ball to the basket.
• Memo goes for 19 points, 10 rebounds, but more importantly, takes the single-season 3-point shooting record from Bryon Russell. Okur was 2-7 on 3-pointers, giving 109 3-pointers this year (passing Russell's 108 set in 1996-97). While Russell was a key player on the NBA Finals teams of 1997 and 1998, he never delivered on his promise to be an all-star and was more or less a disappointing player. Okur has done more in his three years with the Jazz than Russell did in his tenure.
  

• APB put out for Fisher, Kirilenko, Millsap ... these guys combined for 6 points, 3 rebounds and an assist. While AK-47's season has been a bust, Fisher and Millsap have been two of the more reliable players for the Jazz. Sure, blowing a 17-point lead is never good, but the bench has to show up.
• A 17-point lead is not safe. Utah was up 17 points in this game and 14 points entering the 4th quarter, and still managed to lose. This game reminds me of the Knicks loss and many others this year in which the Jazz had a lead, but couldn't keep it going. I've said it before and I'll say it again ... the Jazz can't keep wilting under the pressure if they want to go anywhere in the postseason.
• ANTOINE WALKER KILLS US?! The guy had 0 points entering the 4th quarter, then scored all 13 of his points to lead the Heat's rally. Walker looked about 7 years younger in this game (driving to the basket, hitting big 3-pointers) and his play combined with Gary Payton's defe
  

The Jazz got worked the last time they played the Heat, a 119-110 loss that was worse than the score indicated. The loss came during the low point of the season, when the Jazz lost 4 games in a row (including one buzzer-beater by Gilbert Arenas and a 54-point game by Ray Allen). The Jazz are humming of late and have won 6 in a row. Wonder how things will go tonight ...

Season series: Miami leads, 1-0.

What happened last time: The Heat's Dwyane Wade had 32 points (21-23 FTs), Jason Kapono had 18 points (on 4-5 3-point shooting) and Jason Williams had 20 points. The Jazz trailed 64-48 at halftime and were led by Carlos Boozer's 29 points and 14 rebounds and Deron Williams' 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. This game was lost on the free throw line, as the Heat went 42-45 from the line (compared to the Jazz's 37-54).

What to expect this time: Miami's win streak is much like Utah's in that the Heat have won against some creampuffs (Atlanta, Minnesota) and beaten some good teams, too (Chicago, Washington twice and Detroit). O'Neal has gotten a lot of credit of late, but Heat F Antonie Walker has played better the last five games. He's averaging 11.8 ppg and has made some critical baskets during the Heat's win streak. The Jazz need to get out on the break tonight and make the aging Heat run. Hopefully they can get Miami in foul trouble because the Heat are injured and don't have the depth the the Jazz have. Finally, Okur has to make some 3s tonight to loosen up the interior for Boozer (and to draw O'Neal/Alonzo Mourning out of their comfort zone).

Prediction: This seems like the kind of game the Jazz will hang around in, but lose. I'm going to go with that feeling ... Heat win, 102-97.

The latest headlines in anticipation of tonight's Jazz/Heat game in Miami. Here's what the Miami media has to say about the Jazz (and/or the Heat):

• The Heat have won 6 in a row, but other East contenders such as Cleveland (5 in a row), Chicago (5 of last 6 games), Detroit (2 in a row) and Toronto (2) are keeping them from moving up much in the standings.
• Miami's been stinking it up from the free throw line lately.
• Insight into the rough season Heat PG Jason Williams has had. This guy has been a pain the the Jazz's butt since that 1999-2000 playoff series.
• Are shorter practices helping in C Shaquille O'Neal's resurgance?

A look at what's happening with the Heat in anticipation for tomorrow night's game in Miami.

• Recap of Miam's buzzer-beating win over the Wizards.
• A column on Udonis Haslem's game-winner over the Wizards.
• Heat coach Pat Riley might actually use his draft pick this year to draft a player. Might be a good idea seeing as how outside of Dorell Wright, the Heat have zero young prospects on the roster.
• The Heat have won six in a row (just like the Jazz), but where will they end up in the Eastern Conference playoff picture?
• Recap of last night's game by Crazy from the Heat.