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Okur's huge block helps Jazz to 4-0 start

Nov 7, 2006 - 5:11 AM SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Mehmet Okur showed his former teammates he remembers how to play defense.

Okur's game-saving block on Richard Hamilton as time expired helped the Utah Jazz remain undefeated with a 103-101 triumph over the Detroit Pistons.

Okur, who spent his first two seasons with Detroit before leaving as a free agent in 2004, had 23 points and 10 rebounds. Carlos Boozer added 20 and 11 for Utah, as the duo each registered a double-double for the third consecutive game.

The Jazz entered the fourth period with a 10-point lead but the Pistons rallied. Chauncey Billups, a career 88 percent foul shooter, had a chance to pull the Pistons within one but misfired on the last of two free throws with 31 seconds remaining.

On the ensuing possession, Detroit's Tayshaun Prince stole the ball and tapped it to Billups, who found Hamilton streaking down the right side. The 6-6 guard went hard to the basket but was met by Okur and Andrei Kirilenko as time expired.

Deron Williams collected 14 points and seven assists and Gordan Giricek added 13 off the bench for the Jazz, who shot 48 percent (40-of-83) from the field and made 5-of-10 3-pointers.

Rasheed Wallace had 25 points and 12 rebounds and reserve Flip Murray scored 15 points for Detroit, which shot 41 percent (32-of-77). The Pistons have lost their last three meetings against the Jazz.