If ever there was a time for the Jazz to end their decade-long losing streak in San Antonio, Thursday's game against the Spurs would seem to be it. The Jazz have lost 20 consecutive regular-season games on the road to the Spurs, their last victory coming Feb. 28, 1999. They dropped another three games in San Antonio during the 2007 Western Conference final and have never won at AT&T Center. Not only did the Jazz beat San Antonio 113-95 at EnergySolutions Arena on Nov. 5 -- their highest-scoring game ever against the Spurs in the Tim Duncan era -- but San Antonio could be shorthanded as well.
The Spurs lost in overtime Wednesday to Dallas without Tony Parker, who re-aggravated his sprained ankle, and watched Manu Ginobili leave with a strained groin. Maybe, just maybe, the stars will align for the Jazz in San Antonio.
"We're not going to talk about it," guard Deron Williams said. "We're just going to go down and get a victory. We've got to forget this curse thing and just go down there and win."
Of course, the Jazz also thought they had the perfect opportunity last November, facing the Spurs without Parker and Ginobili. They were drilled, however, in a 119-94 loss, as Roger Mason Jr. hit seven 3-pointers and scored 29 points.
The Jazz will be shorthanded themselves. Mehmet Okur missed Wednesday's victory over Toronto with flu-like symptoms and did not travel to San Antonio. Once again, the Jazz will have just nine players in uniform for a game.
JAZZ 104, RAPTORS 91: The Jazz gave back almost all of an 18-point first-half lead and watched Toronto close within a point in the fourth quarter, but Utah held on for the victory. Rookie point guard Eric Maynor scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, including eight in a row as part of a 17-2 run that put the Jazz back in control. It was the Jazz's ninth consecutive victory over the Raptors, having swept the season series four straight times.
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