Wednesday, May 09, 2007 Sayson: Jazz tunes out warriors By Homer Sayson Second Overtime
LOS ANGELES - It was billed as an NBA playoffs game between the No.5 and No.8 seeds in the West Conference. It was pregnant with promise, bulging with thrill and excitement.
Amazingly, the best-of-7 showdown opener matched the hype. Plus a lot more.
Game 1 of the Round 2 series between the Jazz and the Warriors yesterday was a track meet with nerve-wracking pace and dizzying action. It had 16 ties and 20 lead changes. It was pretty as Pia Guanio.
Helter-skelter highlighted the shootfest, organized chaos that led to 44 fastbreak points between the two teams. They combined for 96 points in the paint, but both teams also amassed 36 turnovers. It was unsightly as the ugly duckling.
And when the smoke finally cleared at the Energy Solutions Arena in Utah, the Jazz narrowly dodged a bullet. Utah 116, Golden State 112.
During my NBA segment at dyAB’s Arangkada with Leo Lastimosa yesterday, I picked the Jazz to win Game 1, and eventually, the series. I explained how Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Andrie Kirilenko will carry their team. Boy, was I right. For once.
Boozer, a bulldozing 6-foot-9, 258-pound forward, had 17 points and 20 rebounds, including an offensive rebound and a put-back that gave Utah a 114-112 lead with 17 seconds left to play. Boozer’s might helped the Jazz dominate the boards, 54-36.
Deron Williams outplayed Golden State’s star point guard Baron Davis. The 6-foot-3 Williams had 31 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds to Davis’ 24 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds.
Andre Kirilenko came through with an all-around effort of 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 blocks.
Game 1 doesn’t make a series, but the Jazz’s dominance in rebounding, as well as the versatility it showed in their ability to play fast and slow ball is a huge concern for the streaky Warriors.
CITY OF ANGELS. After a five-day trek to the desert to cover the spectacle that was De La Hoya versus Mayweather, I’m here in Los Angeles for some business and pleasure.
I visited the Golden Boy offices at 626 Wilshire Blvd. and was impressed by the majesty of Oscar De La Hoya’s office empire. It had A-1 security, sparkling marble tiles, and all the amenities of a Fortune 500 company.
I also got to visit an old college friend in Sun Valley, some 15 miles north of LA. That pal, Engineer Jojo Sy of Hipodromo, Cebu City, now works for an oil refinery. Sipping Heinikens at his driveway, Jojo smoked his trusted Marlboros while I ogled at the splendor of his grey Mitsubishi Montero.
P.S. Greetings to Mr. Dacs Cabrera of San Miguel Corp. in Mandaue.
Dacs’s wife, Eva, a CPA-lawyer, is also here in LA after a trip to New York to do some auditing work at the United Nations.
Greetings also to Nicasio Tan Sr. and the lovely Ms. Jean Margaret Lu. That’s from Julius Tan, my gracious host here in the City of Angels.
Finally, a very happy birthday to Ian Cabigon, my godson and eldest child of my best pal Juvie Cabigon.
