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Roy, Outlaw lead Blazers to upset of Jazz

Apr 5, 2007 - 6:48 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- The Utah Jazz played like they overlooked rookie Brandon Roy and the undermanned Portland Trail Blazers.

Roy scored a season-high 29 points and Travis Outlaw tied a career best with 22 as the Trail Blazers used a stellar third quarter en route to a 94-89 victory over the Jazz.

On Sunday, Utah registered an 86-83 victory at Houston, giving it some breathing room in the race for the fourth-best record in the Western Conference and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

"They looked like they wanted it more than us," Utah point guard Deron Williams said. "They outfought us, outhustled us. They made certain plays down the stretch and we didn't. They looked like they wanted it more than us."

The Jazz looked to have experienced a letdown against the Trail Blazers, who are playing their second game without leading scorer and rebounder Zach Randolph.

"Nah, I don't think (the Jazz overlooked the Blazers) at all," Utah forward Carlos Boozer. "I mean the score was, 94-89. We were prepared for them. Those guys came out and made the shots when it counted. They made plays to win and Brandon made a lot of big free throws for them down the stretch."

Utah (48-26) still holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Houston (47-28) as the Rockets dropped a 110-99 decision to Golden State. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was not happy with his team's performance in the middle of a playoff push.

"Well it would be sad to have to say (Jazz took Blazers lightly) but with 18 turnovers for 23 points, it looked like we played the ballgame with gloves on," Sloan said. "The way we handled the basketball and the way it went through our hands. It doesn't make any difference who you are, you can't afford to have turnovers in a ball game. You just give the other team to many opportunities."

Roy shot 8-of-15 from the field, including 2-of-2 from the arc, and Outlaw was 9-of-18 from the floor, including 2-of-3 on 3-pointers for Portland, which shot 46 percent (31-of-68).

"I didn't know that was my career high," Roy said. "I wasn't even thinking about it. This was a big win. We needed it. We got a lot of bodies banged up and we needed a total team effort and we got it. Travis came out and was huge for us early and got us all going."

Trailing by two points entering the third quarter, the Blazers outscored the Jazz, 27-15, in the period to take control of the game. Portland reeled off the final 10 points of the third to take a 70-60 lead entering the final 12 minutes.

Boozer scored 21 points and tied a career high with 21 rebounds for the Jazz, who shot 43 percent (34-of-79).