• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Red-hot Jazz go for retribution vs. Warriors

Mar 1, 2009 - 7:44 AM Utah (36-23) at Golden State (20-38) 9:00 p.m. EST

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Utah Jazz had one blemish on their entire February schedule. That flaw came at Oracle Arena, courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

The red-hot Jazz return to the site of their last loss looking for a bit of retribution Sunday night as they visit the Warriors looking to extend their seven-game winning streak.

The previous meeting was on February 8, as the Warriors stormed ahead with a 38-point fourth quarter to run away with a 20-point victory. Seven players reached double figures in the win, led by Corey Maggette's 24 points off the bench.

Since then, however, the Jazz haven't lost - and they've picked up victories over the likes of the Lakers, Celtics and Hornets. Carlos Boozer has returned to help after missing 44 games with knee and quad injuries, and the team's success and depth have given him an opportunity to be worked back into the rotation slowly and smoothly.

While he gets back up to speed, the Jazz have been carried by star point guard Deron Williams and sharpshooting center Mehmet Okur. The former is coming off a dominant February, during which he averaged 23.2 points and 10.9 assists while shooting 51 percent from the field. Okur has been hot as well, connecting on 16-of-21 3-point attempts (76 percent) over his last six contests.

The playoff race in the West remains crowded, but the Jazz are surging. They are tied with New Orleans (35-22) for the sixth spot, a half-game behind No. 5 Portland (36-22) and three back of No. 3 Denver (39-20).

The Warriors, meanwhile, have dropped two straight after winning four of five. Stephen Jackson scored 33 points in a 112-109 loss to Charlotte on Friday night.