Mavericks 94 - 91 Jazz
Final
  for this game

Surprising Jazz entertain Mavs in Salt Lake City

Jan 19, 2012 - 3:44 PM (Sports Network) - Utah, perhaps the most surprising team in the Western Conference, will aim to continue its stellar play at home against the reigning NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.

After starting the season 0-2 the Jazz have rattled off nine wins in 11 games, the latest of which came on Tuesday in Salt Lake City when Paul Millsap scored 20 points, leading Utah to a 108-79 pasting of the Chris Paul-less Clippers.

C.J. Miles added 19 points and Devin Harris had 13 for the Jazz, winners of three straight and eight of nine since New Year's Day. Alec Burks chipped in 11 while Al Jefferson and Enes Kanter both finished with 10.

"I enjoyed watching the guys having fun do what they do," Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin said. "They really worked together and they deserved to have some success."

At 9-4 on the season, helped by a 7-1 mark at EnergySolutions Arena, Utah has the second best record in the West behind Oklahoma City.

The Mavs also played the Clips in their last contest on Wednesday but weren't as lucky, dropping a tough 91-89 decision at Staples Center despite Paul's continued absence due to a hamstring problem.

Chauncey Billups picked up the slack by hitting his first "Big Shot" for LA in that one, draining a go-ahead three-pointer with one second left in regulation to give the Clippers the victory, their first over Dallas in over three years.

Four seconds prior to Billups' make, Jason Terry had hit a straightaway three after coming off a double-screen at the top of the key to give Dallas the lead, 89-88.

But the Clippers drew up a play for Billups, who inbounded the ball along the right sideline and passed to Blake Griffin. Jason Kidd lost Billups in the exchange, and "Mr. Big Shot" hit nothing but the bottom of the net from the right wing.

"I was a little surprised I was that open," Billups said. "I got some separation and made the shot."

Dallas' desperation lob fell short prior to the buzzer, putting an end to the Clippers' 10-game losing streak to the Mavs.

Dirk Nowitzki and Delonte West each scored 17 points to lead the Mavs, who also suffered a last-second loss to the Lakers at Staples Center on Monday. Terry scored 12 points, as did teammate Shawn Marion, who also pulled down 10 rebounds.

"It's tough when this happens," Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle said. "Give them credit, they made the last shot."

Dallas swept a four-game season series with the Jazz in 2010-11






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