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Jazz look to show resilency once again in Game Two

May 9, 2007 - 2:20 PM Golden State at Utah 9:00 pm EDT Western Conference semifinals Utah leads, 1-0

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- After playing from behind for most of the postseason, the Utah Jazz will have to deal with something they have not dealt with in six seasons - the lead that comes with a series-opening win.

The Jazz will try to add to that advantage when they host the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference semifinals at the EnergySolutions Arena on Wednesday.

Utah overcame tired legs and a tempo better suited for the Warriors to record a 116-112 victory on Monday night, less than 48 hours after narrowing escaping the Houston Rockets with a Game Seven win. The Jazz had to rally after losing the first two games against the Rockets in the opening round and never led in the series until they won it.

This marks the first time Utah has opened a playoff series with a victory since 2001 and it was the most points it has scored in a playoff game since putting up 117 in the first-round opener against Sacramento in 1999.

With Derek Fisher inactive due to a personal family issue, Utah second-year guard Deron Williams continued his amazing season by scoring 31, two off his career high. Williams' scoring explosion offset Carlos Boozer's 6-for-15 effort from the field, although Boozer's 20th rebound - 10th offensive - and follow shot gave the Jazz the lead for good at 114-112 with 17 seconds remaining.

The Jazz held a 54-36 rebounding advantage in Game One, with Boozer and Mehmet Okur nearly matching the Warriors in rebounding by themselves (31).

Golden State will need to make a more conscious effort to pound the glass if they hope to steal home-court advantage away from Utah before heading back to Oakland for Game Three on Friday.