)
)
)
)
)
)
Carlos Boozer and C.J. Miles each had 21 points in the 109-97 win over Phoenix.
Sports Photos: Check out new pics of everything going on today in the world of sports!
Salt Lake City, UT (Sports Network) - Carlos Boozer and C.J. Miles scored 21 points apiece to lead the injury-ravaged Utah Jazz to an impressive 109-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Utah, playing without star guard Deron Williams (ankle) and center Mehmet Okur (personal), won with a mix-and-match group that hammered Phoenix on the backboards, 47-26. Andrei Kirilenko, who had missed time with a finger injury, scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench.
Brevin Knight scored 12 points and dished out six assists, while Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver netted 11 points apiece.
The Jazz bench outscored the Suns reserves, 59-16, in the victory. Utah won five straight games to start the season, but went just 1-4 on a road trip before coming home for two games.
"Our bench was terrific. They gave us a tremendous lift," said Utah head coach Jerry Sloan.
Amare Stoudemire led all scorers with 30 points to go along with eight rebounds, while Matt Barnes added 19 points. Steve Nash donated 14 points with eight assists for the Suns, who saw their two-game winning streak come to an end.
The first half was a tale of two quarters as Phoenix grabbed a 32-23 lead after 12 minutes only to see the lead dissolve and turn into a 57-54 halftime deficit.
Phoenix took a brief lead in the third stanza, 60-59, on Barnes' layup with 10:14 to play. Utah regained its footing and increased its edge to 75-70 on Boozer's layup with 3:36 to go.
The Suns again snuck closer at 83-81 on Boris Diaw's jumper. Kirilenko responded with a clutch three-pointer, and a 13-0 run moments later put the game away.
Millsap and Knight poured home jumpers then Kirilenko grabbed a rebound, dribbled up the court and sank a mid-range shot. After three more jumpers -- one each by Knight, Boozer and Kirilenko -- Millsap converted a free throw with 4:51 on the clock for a 103-86 edge.
Game Notes
Phoenix shot 48.6 percent from the floor, while Utah made 47.1 percent of its shots...Utah assisted on 28 of 40 made field goals with six each from Knight and Ronnie Price...Attendance 19,911.
© 2008