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Williams helps Jazz continue dominace over Warriors

Nov 4, 2007 - 6:30 AM By Chris Bellamy PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Make that six out of seven for the Utah Jazz against the Golden State Warriors.

Deron Williams had 30 points and 11 assists to defuse a late run, taking over down the stretch as the Jazz pulled away for a 133-110 victory over the Warriors on Saturday.

The Jazz, who ousted the Warriors in five games in last season's Western Conference semifinals, picked up where they left off - trouncing visiting Golden State for the second time in three games already this campaign.

After the Warriors cut their deficit to 99-93 at the 9:00 mark of the final period, Williams was there for an answer, knocking down a mid-range jumper on the other end.

"I just felt we were struggling," Williams said. "I saw the lead going down, and I just tried to step up and hit some shots."

Just moments later, he hit a 3-pointer with a hand in his face to give Utah a more comfortable 12-point edge.

It continued that way for much of the fourth quarter. The Warriors tried to steal back the momentum, but Williams was always there with a timely response.

"He's able to step up and take those kind of shots," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "He has that kind of ability as a player. He's really a terrific player, and you're always interested to see what he's able to do."

He hit back-to-back jumpers on his team's next two possessions and, with Utah finally starting to pull away, put in the dagger at the 3:43 mark - pulling up in Monta Ellis' face to give his club a 118-102 lead.

Utah center Mehmet Okur had his first breakout game of the season, catching fire in the third - netting 13 of his 26 points in the period.

The sharpshooting All-Star hit five shots in the first 4:30 of the second half, including a long shot from the arc after a nifty pass in the paint from Andrei Kirilenko that forged a 78-56 advantage.

"Memo had a great third quarter, and even hit some shots in the fourth, too," said Jazz forward Carlos Boozer, who had 12 points and 10 boards. "So, it was good to see that, and that's how we won the game."

Golden State, which relies heavily on the 3-pointer, was adept from long range on Saturday night. The Warriors knocked down their first four attempts from the arc as they opened up a double-digit advantage in the game's opening minutes.

But once the perimeter shooting went cold, that lead quickly melted away. The Warriors missed 11 of their next 12 shots from the arc as the Jazz raced ahead.

Golden State's 10-point lead was erased in a matter of three minutes.

Okur's first 3-pointer of the night pulled the Jazz to within 24-22, and second-year swingman Ronnie Brewer put Utah ahead for good in the waning seconds of the first - burying a 3-pointer to make it 29-28 at the end of the first.

Brewer scored 19 points, one of seven Jazz players to reach double figures.

"(Brewer) beat us. He played unbelievable," Warriors forward Al Harrington said. "We all know he's not a shooter, but he played well. He was definitely the difference in them winning the game.

"All his shots were big shots. Every shot was a shot where we had them against the ropes, and he would come through with a three or pull up with a big mid-range shot."

Harrington collected 38 points on 15-of-20 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds for Golden State.

"I got a good rhythm going in the second half," Harrington said. "It wasn't good enough. I'm worried about wins and losses."