Utah Jazz: The Price was right for Jazz as the bench comes alive
"I've been kind of in a shooting slump. It's pretty much known that I haven't been able to make the few shots that I've been getting," said the backup to Deron Williams.
But Monday night at EnergySolutions Arena, Price said his shot felt good in the pregame warmup.
"Yeah, before the game it felt good," he said. "But I get so excited seeing my teammates do well and seeing other guys make shots, it energizes me, and when I get a chance at an open shot, it makes me want to make it that much more, especially when we're on a roll like that."
Actually Price's starting teammates were not making their shots. Two tired teams, the Jazz and Toronto, were struggling to get anything going, both having played five or more games over the last week.
But when Price and fellow bench players Matt Harpring, Kyle Korver and Paul Millsap got into the game, things began to pop for the Jazz.
The first time Price entered for Williams, late in the first quarter, the Jazz were up 14-13. When he left, Utah was up six, Price having made a 3-pointer and a layin.
The game was tied at 65 as Price, Korver and Harpring started the period with Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko. Five and a half minutes later, Utah had an 89-69 lead for Williams to return to — thanks to a 24-4 run, with Price making two baskets and assisting on three others in that stretch.
Price, the Utah Valley State product, finished the night tying his career high of five assists and just three points shy of his career-best scoring night with 13.
"He played great tonight," said Williams. "He came out and was pushing the ball in transition and getting guys the ball, hit his shots, played great defense, frustrated T.J. Ford and ultimately got him kicked out of the game, so I thought he did a great job."
Ford, angered when he was called for a foul for holding Harpring's arms from behind, was called for an offensive foul 18 seconds later for pushing off on Price, and then Ford lost control and drew two technical fouls and an ejection.
"T.J. Ford is a childhood friend of mine. We've known each other since probably 7 or 8 years old, so it was nothing personal," said Price, who is from Friendswood, Texas. Ford is from Baytown, Texas.
Price admitted he'd never seen Ford get so animated as he was Monday, causing teammate Jason Kapono to fail in his effort to hold him away from the officials at 6:59 of the fourth quarter in a display that ultimately netted Utah five points on two Korver technical free throws and a Kirilenko three.
"Tonight things didn't go right for him," said Price, who said he hadn't said anything inflammatory to his pal. "Nothing was said between us because we're great friends. He just wasn't happy with the referees tonight, and you know, that happens." As for Price, "I was just happy that my shot actually felt OK today, and I'm happy that they went in."
And he was even happier to have contributed so much to Utah's 19th straight home victory, tying the franchise record.
E-mail: lham@desnews.com
Recent comments
"the price is right" was originated from utah valley state...
old college fan | March 19, 2008 at 5:13 a.m.
This Price is right thing is getting older than I am.
Fidel Castro | March 18, 2008 at 4:06 p.m.
Meesa think this "Price is right" things is annoying. Jar Jar Binx | March 18, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.
