Preview: Utah Jazz vs. New York Knicks

by CRS-ONE

The last time the Jazz played in Madison Square Garden didn’t end well. After their center Memo Okur got them back into the game with a bunch of threes, he committed one of the biggest sins in any sport….celebrating to early. He pretty much let Stephon Marbury waltz his way to the basket in the final seconds of overtime and got the game winning layup.

Tonight, Okur has an opportunity to avenge that loss as the Jazz make their only trip to New York tonight. While the Knicks are looking to add their fourth win of the season, the Jazz are looking at improving their play while on the road.

“We know we’ve been a bad road team, and we are really focused on changing that,” said Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer, who is coming off a 36 point win over the Detroit Pistons.

Boozer will probably again be the focus of the Jazz’s offense. He matches up well with New York power forward Zach Randolph and center Eddie Curry. I can see them having trouble with Boozer, as he is a bit quicker and more athletic than either of them. This is the same problem that happens to Yao Ming when the Jazz and Rockets play.

This causes a problem for the Knicks. If they have Randolph and Curry double Boozer, they free up Okur who can be deadly from the perimeter.

Okur himself also presents a mismatch opportunity. If he draws his defender away from the paint, he just opens the floor up for Boozer.

The matchup between Jazz point guard Deron Williams and Marbury would have been really fun to watch during Marbury’s prime. These days, Steph doesn’t contribute too much anymore, aside from the occasional surreal interview.

The biggest thing the Jazz have to worry about is if New York’s perimeter players Jamal Crawford and Quentin Richardson get hot. I’ve been impressed by how Ronnie Brewer’s defense has improved this season, but he’s far from being a lockdown type defender.

In addition, one has to wonder if fatigue will be an issue tonight. They are coming off a fairly tough game against Detroit and they are on the road. I’m not too concerned, especially since this is early in the season.