Utah was severely short-handed during an embarrassing home loss to New Jersey last month. It's tougher to find a good reason for the Jazz's continued troubles in road games against the Nets.
The Jazz, losers of five straight at New Jersey, look to avenge their most lopsided home defeat of the season when they face the Nets on Wednesday night.Utah (15-11) was without Carlos Boozer due to an injured quadriceps in a 105-88 loss to New Jersey on Nov. 29. The Jazz, who suffered their worst home defeat since falling 126-98 to San Antonio on April 14, 2007, also lost Andrei Kirilenko to an ankle injury in the second quarter.
Kirilenko is now healthy, but Boozer has missed 14 straight games and is doubtful for this contest - potentially a big blow for Utah, as Boozer scored 41 points in a 117-115 loss at the Izod Center on March 15.
The Jazz will be trying to beat the Nets on the road for the first time since a 91-90 win on March 2, 2003. Despite the strong offensive performance at the Meadowlands last season, the Jazz are shooting 42.7 percent from the field and averaging 88.2 points during their road skid against the Nets.
New Jersey (12-11), however, has struggled at home this season, going 4-7 and allowing 103.3 points per game. Opponents are shooting 43.1 percent from beyond the arc at the Izod Center.
Utah is coming off one of its worst offensive performances of the season, shooting 23.1 percent (3-for-13) from 3-point range in a 100-91 loss to Boston on Monday night. The Jazz posted their third-lowest road point total of 2008-09.
That was the opener of a five-game trip for Utah, which is 5-7 away from EnergySolutions Arena.
Paul Millsap has made the most of his opportunity with Boozer out. He had a career-high 32 points with 10 rebounds versus the Celtics and is averaging 17.8 points and 11.0 boards in his last 13 games.
Millsap had 20 points and 10 rebounds against New Jersey last month.
Devin Harris and Vince Carter led the Nets in that contest, combining for 56 points. Carter had 20 points and 10 rebounds Monday night as New Jersey snapped a three-game losing streak with a 94-87 win over Toronto.
Carter has 59 points in his last two games after being held to three in a loss to the Raptors on Friday.
Nets first-round pick Ryan Anderson scored a career-high 21 points against the Raptors after totaling three in his previous two games. Carter has become a mentor to Anderson, and tried to keep the forward upbeat during his struggles.
"I always think back to when I was in those situations and I was thrown in the fire," Carter said. "You have rough times and rough nights and you just need somebody to be there and say 'Be yourself and play your game. We drafted you for this reason.'"
Anderson grabbed nine of New Jersey's season-high 54 rebounds.
The Nets held an opponent under 100 points for the first time in four games. They're allowing 102.9 points a contest.
