Mehmet Okur and Ronnie Brewer did not dress for Friday night s game against the Los Angeles Clippers due to the effects of a stomach virus. Andrei Kirilenko was scoreless in nine minutes before leaving with spasms in his right calf. But Williams and Boozer provided all the offensive firepower the Jazz needed and both topped 30 points for the first time in game.
Corey Maggette scored 28 points and Chris Kaman had 16 points in his second game back from a nine-game absence with back spasms. Cuttino Mobley and Al Thornton each had 13 points for the Clippers, who have lost ten in a row and 18 of their last 20 games.
Boozer went 16-of-22 from the floor and grabbed 17 rebounds while Williams made 13 of his 15 attempts and passed for 10 assists. The pair put the game away on the first two possessions of the fourth quarter. First, Williams made a driving three-point play and then dished to Boozer for a layup that extended the lead to 95-71.
The Jazz struggled to a series of slow starts in recent games, but Utah's stars wouldn't let it happen Friday, even with the unexpected loss of two starters. Williams had 14 points and Boozer added 12 points on a combined 11-of-14 shooting in the opening period.
The Jazz won their third consecutive game in a four-game stretch against teams with losing records as they jostle for playoff position. Kyle Korver scored 18 points and Paul Millsap had 13 for Utah, who outscored their opponents 62-32 in the paint.
