Jazz 104, Pacers 94: That's Some Luther Vandross Type Smooth Jazz

Yep, the Jazz are pretty good. That much is obvious after they easily handled the Pacers Sunday afternoon, 104-94. Here is the AP recap of the game. Hard to say the Pacers were blown out, but I never felt like they would get in position to win. Look at the Jazz on paper and you might shrug, but they have all of the right pieces to play a precise, team game, which is when basketball is at its best. JO captured the essence of the Jazz after the game.

This is probably the best team we've played all year," said Jermaine O'Neal, who led Indiana with 31 points. "And they really showed why they're the best team in the NBA, because no matter what happens, they don't show very many emotions. They just come out with their hard hat and just play basketball, no matter what."

What else:

• Maceo Baston missed the game today with the toilet sprint flu that hit some of his teammates in Chicago.


• Jerry Sloan will get his just due as an incredible coach and teacher of basketball as the year goes on. He's molded this roster and talent into an incredibly efficient, hard working unit.


• Lots of Illini orange at Conseco today to watch Deron Williams, Dee Brown, and Roger Powell. Dee and Deron made it worth the trip.


• Lots of fouls called today. Al Harrington was saddled with foul trouble and never really got into the game, finishing with a goose egg in the scoring column.

(Photo: Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)