On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Come Into My Pretty, Pretty Pain Cave--The Mid-Majority
Cleveland State Vikings Use Barrage of Outside Shooting To Defeat Loyola Ramblers 69-48--Hoopville

Utah Jazz trail at Golden State at halftime, 46-45--Deseret News

Gordon Hayward seems to have refound the stroke and offensive prowess he showed at the end of his rookie season. The starting small forward leads the Jazz with 11 points, including a 2-for-2 showing from beyond the arc.
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The first quarter was arguably the best of the young season for Utah, who stormed to a 13-4 lead after Raja Bell hit a pair of jumpers, Jefferson scored six points and Hayward drilled a 3-pointer.

Utah Jazz edge Golden State Warriors 88-87 for first road win--Deseret News
Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors: Report card--Deseret News

Forwards: Gordon Hayward had a line that Andrei Kirilenko would be proud of, scoring 17 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing four assists. Paul Millsap struggled in 22 minutes, going 4-12 from the floor for nine points while notching just four rebounds. Derrick Favors made up for Millsap's play a bit by giving a 12-point, 10-rebound line in 26 minutes. Fans must be happy with the developing steady play of Josh Howard, who contributed nine points in 25 minutes. However, the Jazz certainly could use his length for rebounding help, and he had zero. Curiously, C.J. Miles played just four minutes and managed to throw up three shot attempts in that time, making none. David Lee did give the Utah forwards some problems, scoring 13 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Grade: B

Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors: Instant analysis--Deseret News
NBA: Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson hopes to avoid late-season fade--Salt Lake Tribune

In rhythm

Just because forward Gordon Hayward’s shot was off through Utah’s first seven games didn’t mean Corbin wanted the 21-year-old to stop firing away.

Hayward entered the Golden State contest shooting 40.8 percent from the field and just 22.2 percent behind the 3-point line. He was taking shots in rhythm and playing within the Jazz’s offense, though, and Corbin’s willing to trade early misses for long-term confidence.

“He’s taking the right shots, which is the most important thing,” Corbin said.

Hayward responded by scoring 11 first-half points on 4-of-6 shooting against the Warriors, while hitting both of his 3-point attempts.

Utah Jazz beat Golden State Warriors 88-87 for first road win--Salt Lake Tribune
Butler must win to stay in first--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler rides into Detroit on upswing--Victory Firelight
BUTLER 63, WRIGHT STATE 62--THE unOFFICIAL BUTLER BULLDOGS MEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE
Bulldogs Close Road Swing At Detroit--ButlerSports.com

Butler Pulls Away From Cleveland State--ButlerSports.com

Miami Heat rookies Norris Cole, Terrel Harris take advantage of playing time--Miami Herald
LeBron James leads Miami Heat in win over New Jersey Nets--Miami Herald

A three-pointer by Williams cut the Heat’s lead to 11 points with 4:27 left in the third quarter, but Shane Battier and Norris Cole answered with back-to-back threes. The Heat led 78-64 to begin the fourth quarter amid perhaps the quietest sellout crowd in NBA history.

For a while, cheers for the Heat (and especially James) grew louder than for the home team. James drilled a turnaround 15-footer from the baseline with 5:59 left in the game to put the Heat ahead by 16.

Udonis Haslem had 12 points and 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Cole had nine points and six assists in 30 minutes. Mario Chalmers was limited to less than 19 minutes due to foul trouble but still had seven points and seven assists.