<div align="center"> <font color="DarkGreen">Seattle SuperSonics</font> (19-5) @ <font color="Navy">Utah Jazz</font> (11-16)</div> When: Monday 27th December, 9:00 PM (EST) Where: Delta Center Local TV: FSN-SEA National TV: NBALP <div align="center">Likely Starters</div> <font color="DarkGreen"><div align="center">Sonics</div></font> <div align="center"> <font size="1">Luke Ridnour, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Reggie Evans, Jerome James</font></div> <div align="center"><font color="Navy">Jazz</font> </div> <div align="center"><font size="1">Raul Lopez, Raja Bell, Matt Harpring, Carlos Boozer, Aleksandar Radojevic</font></div> Injured List <font color="DarkGreen">Sonics</font> - Damien Wilkins, Robert Swift, Mateen Cleaves <font color="Navy">Jazz</font> - Andrei Kirilenko, Keith McLeod, Jarron Collins Key Matchup Luke Ridnour vs. Raul Lopez By now, everyone knows that the Sonics can shoot the ball. Without Andrei Kirilenko, the Jazz will struggle to stop the Sonics from shooting, and if the Sonics get going they're hard to stop. So if Raul Lopez and Carlos Arroyo can play good D on Luke Ridnour, force him into turnovers and bad passes it will limit the shots Seattle gets to take and force them to take bad shots. Prediction Utah came very close to upsetting Seattle in the last and only match between these two teams earlier in the season, without Kirilenko. This time Utah are at home. Utah are capable of beating Seattle, however it will take a good team effort and the ability to close out the game. Both teams are rested, and it should be a good, close match. I'm going with a big Utah upset, Boozer and Okur to lead the way....again. Utah 104 Seattle 102
Rado is starting over Okur!? What the hell is this!? Anyways..... Unfortunetely I think the Sonics are way too good. They shoot the lights out, and they will against the Jazz. Sonics - 106 Jazz - 92 I hope I'm wrong though.
The Jazz are back home and they have had a few days rest; so I am with Stockton, I think we could pull out a win. I think Boozer should really bang it inside at the smaller Sonic's front court. Also, Giricek needs to play in this game, as he is our only three point threat and we will need him to counter Ray Allen and the rest of the Sonics. We almost beat the Sonics up at Key Arena a few weeks ago, I think we could take it to them in the Delta Center.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Marbire:</div><div class="quote_post">Rado is starting over Okur!? What the hell is this!?</div> Sloan used some excuse about how it was better to have one less scoring option in the starters . I don't really understand why, but Sloan is a good coach. Memo does get more minutes, however.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Stockton:</div><div class="quote_post">Sloan used some excuse about how it was better to have one less scoring option in the starters . I don't really understand why, but Sloan is a good coach. Memo does get more minutes, however.</div> I understand where Sloan is coming from. You need scoring opitions coming off the bench incase the starters aren't playing up to par. Sloan also seems to instail the idea that the 5 that finishes the game is more important than the 5 that starts the game (unless its a blow-out). But don't worry, Okur seems to be playing well when he's starting or coming off the bench.
Keith McLeod has been activated, and is starting for the Jazz. A move in the right direction IMO, he was starting when the Jazz were playing great at the start of the season. I'd say Eisley is going to the IL.
Well, this game wasn't on TV, and I was at work anyways. But I hear that Mcleod started, and Arroyo played 0 minutes? Damn.... we lost only by 10. Not bad, considering Seattle is one of the best in the league. I dunno what's the deal with the PG's. The stats say that Jazz get their asses kicked when Arroyo's in, and the Jazz outscore their opponents when Lopez is in. To me, Arroyo is the better player. I guess Lopez get's the team involved more.
Arroyo entered in the 4th quarter, played 6 minutes, and the Jazz lost direction with him on the court. Keith McLeoad played well, 11 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in 32 minutes. But Raul played the best. In 10 minutes he got 6 assists and 7 points, and the Jazz played best with him on court. Arroyo just isn't fitting in with the team, and I would not be at all surprised to see a trade.
