JazzFan 4 Life

What is it about these Florida teams this year? The last time the Jazz played the Magic, Orlando wiped the floor with them in an 88-75 loss at Energy Solutions Arena. Utah was never really in that game and came out with zero heart, so the score is a little misleading.

Season series: Orlando leads, 1-0.

What happened last time: Dwight Howard had 21 points, 16 rebounds and abused the Jazz's front line all night long. Jameer Nelson had a good all-around game (15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) and Grant Hill hit some key outside jumpers to finish with 16 points. Carlos Boozer had 21 points and 10 rebounds, but didn't get going until late in the game. This might have been one of Andrei Kirilenko's best games of the year, numbers-wise (11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 4 blocks) but the team looked awful.

What to expect this time: The Magic have lost three straight (including Monday's loss to the Bobcats) and have lost 10 of 12 since the all-star break and 22 of 29 since mid-January. There's an entire Web site devoted to firing Brian Hill, Dwight Howard is kicking basketballs through the roof ... basically it's mass hysteria and craziness in The City Beautiful. The Magic are a game behind the Pacers for the No. 8 spot in the East and have gone from a sure-fire playoff team to a lottery team trying to make the playoffs. Howard, Hill and Nelson are the name players on this team, but keep an eye on Trevor Ariza. He's playing well of late (12.0 ppg, 64.8 FG pct in his last 5 games) and is the athletic X-factor the Magic look to when things bog down.

Prediction: The Jazz played last night like they thought they were invincible and they lost. The Magic always give the Jazz a tough game, but I think Utah gets back on track tonight. Jazz win, 91-82.

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.

Some quick notes for tonight's Hornets/Jazz game at Energy Solutions Arena (as well as tonight's preview):

• The Hornets have allowed 100+ points in seven of their last nine road games. Ouch.
• Memories of an ironic collapse for Hornets coach Byron Scott as they ready for tonight's game.
• Hornets couldn't quite complete the comeback last night against the Suns.
• AP's preview of tonight's game.
• A ballboy helped Jazz C Jarron Collins understand exactly how home court in the first round of the playoffs works.

TONIGHT'S PREVIEW

Season series: Tied, 1-1.

What happened last time: Jazz dismantled the Hornets, 108-94, on Sunday. Carlos Boozer had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Mehmet Okur had 28 points and 9 rebounds and Deron Williams put up 20 points and had 6 assists. The Hornets muddled through the game, with only Tyson Chandler (20 points, 19 rebounds) and Chris Paul (14 points, 13 assists, 3 steals) doing anything of note for New Orleans/Oklahoma City.

What to expect tonight: The Jazz had their way with the Hornets the last time around by basically out-executing the Hornets all evening. David West was a non-factor (10 points, 4-12 FG, 7 rebounds) and players such as Bobby Jackson, Devin Brown and Marc Jackson contributed little to nothing. The Hornets are coming off last night's 104-103 loss to the Suns and will no doubt be tired.

Williams often says he doesn't play any harder against Paul and the Hornets than any other team. He says that the matchup is something the media makes up, but that he doesn't view it as otherwise. The numbers say otherwise:

Williams -- 23.5 ppg, 52.9 FG pct, 7.0 assists per game this season in the 2 games vs NOK.

I'd be surprised if Williams doesn't get himself fired up for this game and run the show as well as he has all season.

Prediction: Jazz win, 105-99.

Utah won the last meeting, 104-94, when the Jazz played the Pacers in Indiana. What to expect tonight? Let's take a quick look ...

What happened last time: Boozer scored 18 points, grabbed 11 rebounds ... D-Will had 17 points and 5 assists ... Mehmet Okur had 17 points and 7 rebounds. There's more here from the last game, but for the most part, it was Memo and Deron having their way with the Pacers.

What to expect this time: Indiana has lost 6 in a row, and although they played better last night against the Kings, have looked like a team that's in jeopardy of falling out of the playoff race. Danny Granger hasn't played well in his last 5 games, as he's averaging a solid 12.4 ppg but shooting only about 37 percent from the field. Before the season, the Granger/Andrei Kirilenko matchup would have been one to keep an eye out, but Kirilenko's disappointing season takes some luster off this one. AK-47 will have his hands full with Granger and I have a feeling that Darrell Armstrong will provide a spark for the Pacers tonight and maybe frustrate D-Will a little bit.

Prediction: Jazz get their 5th win in a row, 110-105.

The second and final game of this year's series against the Celtics. Here's a quick preview ...

What happened last time: Jazz win, 107-100, at TD Banknorth Garden. The Jazz mostly pulled away in the second and third quarters and were led by Deron Williams (26 pts, 14 ast), Carlos Boozer (24 pts, 14 reb, 4 ast) and Mehmet Okur (23 pts, 4-5 on 3-pointers). The Celtics' Paul Pierce went for 30 points and Wally Szczerbiak chipped in with 14 while Delonte West, Ryan Gomes, Kedrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo all had 10-11 points apiece.

What to expect this time: For one thing, Celtics PF Al Jefferson has gone from an afterthought in the offense (behind Pierce/Szczerbiak/Green/et al) to likely their No. 2 option on offense (behind Pierce). Jefferson is averaging 15.4 ppg and 11.6 rpg this month and has developed into a solid big man in what has been a wasted season for the Celtics. Utah likely won't have Okur tonight (and possibly Andrei Kirilenko), so that might factor into the offense. However, Deron Williams has stepped up this month (21.3 ppg) and Boozer should get more than the 12 minutes he played yesterday in Denver. If the Jazz can stick with Pierce on defense, Jefferson and the rest of the Celtics shouldn't be a problem. Keep an eye on tonight's matchup between Paul Millsap and Jefferson; it could be a preview of two young, talented big men.

Prediction: Jazz win, 105-92.

Game 2 of this year's four-game set against the Blazers is Tuesday. A quick preview ...

What happened last time: Jazz win, 96-86, at Energy Solutions Arena. Mehmet Okur (20 pts, 7 reb), Carlos Boozer (19 pts, 10 reb) and Paul Millsap (11 pts, 6 reb off the bench) led the way for the Jazz. The Blazers Zach Randolph went crazy last time, going for 34 points and 13 rebounds while serving as the only reason the Blazers were in the game.

What to expect this time: Utah has rallied together since Boozer's injury, as they've won 6 straight games. More exciting that that is that the Jazz have only had one blowout win in that span and have played better in close games. Randolph is going to be the big concern in this game as he's going to try to light up Okur (who got an All-Star spot over him). Aside from that, without Boozer, the Jazz don't have anyone that can keep up with Randolph in the post. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Jazz let Randolph score his 25-30 points and try to keep Roy/Jarret Jack/Juan Dixon in check.

Prediction: Jazz win, 95-92.