With Devin Harris struggling through his worst overall season since entering the NBA in 2004, it’s hard to qualify one game as a breakthrough. But the eight-year veteran said Monday his 15-point performance during the Jazz’s 106-102 loss to San Antonio was a step in the right direction, and the efficient offensive outing provided a glimpse of Harris in top form.
Utah’s starting point guard was 6 of 8 from the field, 2 of 2 behind the 3-point line and dished out four assists in 30 minutes. Seven of Harris’ points came during the first quarter, when he shot 3 of 4 from the floor and pushed the Jazz to a 20-12 lead.
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Jazz at Timberwolves
At Target Center (Minneapolis)Tipoff » Wednesday, 6 p.m.
TV » ROOT Sports. Radio » 1320 AM, 1600 AM, 98.7 FM
Records » Jazz 15-16, Timberwolves 16-17
Last meeting » Jazz, 108-98 (Jan. 21)
About the Jazz » This is Utah’s final game before the All-Star break. The Jazz don’t play again until at Sacramento. … Utah has lost four of five and is just 6-12 after starting 9-4.
About the Timberwolves » Minnesota fell to Denver 103-101 in overtime Monday on the road. The Timberwolves have won three of four.
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Favors joins Rising Stars
Second-year Utah forward Derrick Favors was selected Tuesday to the Rising Stars Challenge, which will be held Friday in Orlando, Fla., during NBA All-Star weekend.
Favors, 20, replaces San Antonio forward Tiago Splitter, who’s out two weeks due to a calf injury.
Favors is averaging 8.1 points and 5 rebounds in 30 games (five starts). The No. 3 overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft will join Jazz teammate Gordon Hayward on Team Chuck, which will be coached by Hall of Fame forward Charles Barkley.
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"[I] felt more like myself," said Harris, who’s averaging 9 points and 4.4 assists this season, both of which are below his career averages.
Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin stuck with Harris down the stretch against the Spurs and he played 30 minutes and 15 seconds overall, compared to 17:45 for backup Earl Watson. At times, Harris also held San Antonio point guard Tony Parker in check. The Spurs’ speedy floor leader recorded game-highs in points (23) and assists (11), and teamed with Tim Duncan to put Utah away late. But Parker shot just 1 of 6 from the floor after halftime and was forced to rely on foul shots for points during the fourth quarter.
"It is a work in progress. I’m just trying to get better," Harris said. "I’m starting to get more comfortable. And obviously the more games I play, the more comfortable I get."
Riding the horses
Thirty-one games into the Jazz’s season, Utah’s relying on center Al Jefferson and power forward Paul Millsap more than ever.
The inside duo combined to take 19 of the Jazz’s 38 field-goal attempts during the second half against the Spurs, and they’re the only Utah players averaging double-digits in scoring this season.
Jefferson and Millsap are high-percentage shooters and have proved they can carry the Jazz. But with Utah tied with Washington for worst in the NBA in average 3-point percentage (29.9) and the Jazz 29th out of 30 teams in makes (3.8), opponents have clearly begun to stack the paint. San Antonio immediately and aggressively double-teamed Jefferson on the low block during the second half, often forcing Utah’s average leading scorer to defer.
"You couldn’t help but to notice it," Jefferson said.
His passes toward the perimeter didn’t pay off. The Jazz attempted only two 3s after the break, compared with the Spurs’ 11. And while Jefferson managed to go 4 of 9 from the floor following halftime, Utah’s offense was again stagnant down the stretch — the Jazz were outscored 12-6 during the final 5:06.
"I’ve been playing against the Spurs a long time. And every time I start making shots, I notice Tim Duncan play[s] on my left side, so I know that someone[’s] coming on the baseline," Jefferson said. "The Spurs and Portland do that to me, so you kind of know it’s coming."
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