SALT LAKE CITY -- The always-exciting alley-oop play quickly became a topic of conversation after the Jazz's shootaround Tuesday morning at EnergySolutions Arena.
When done right, it's a fun play to watch. When it's not executed well, it can be rather deflating.
Jazz point guard Earl Watson is the team's resident authority on the subject. He's a master of hustling down the floor then lobbing the ball near the rim for one of his high-flying teammates to catch and dunk.
More often than not, it's forward Jeremy Evans. But what about veteran center Al Jefferson?
"Earl loves to throw that alley-oop," Jefferson said. "But I think he forgets sometimes, I'm not as athletic as Jeremy Evans. I can't go up there and get 'em."
Watson said, yes, he does enjoy throwing the lob pass for his teammates but ... "not when Al's in the game."
Jefferson, 27, stands 6-foot-10 and is listed at 289 pounds. His game is based on footwork and up-and-under moves in the post, not leaping for lobs.
But after laughing about the idea of throwing an ally-oop to Jefferson, Watson stopped to consider the notion.
"You know, I've got to talk to Al about that because that would be a pretty special play for me and him to connect on," he said.
Watson, 32, is a 6-1 point guard with great quickness and an eye for knowing when to take advantage of a defense.
"It's a play that can change the momentum of the game," he said. "It definitely depends on your personnel and a special player to read it because it's never practiced. We're luck to have a couple of guys who can go up and get it on this team."
GAME 13 Jazz 108, Clippers 79
* BEST PLAY: Watson and Evans team up on an alley-oop shortly after Evans checks in early in the second quarter. L.A.'s defense overplayed Evans and as he often does, he spins toward the basket and finds Watson's lob pass waiting for him. Dunk. Jazz lead 31-21. The two hook up again for another alley-oop in the second half, then Jamaal Tinsley and Evans add another late in the game.
* BEST LINE: C.J. Miles scored a season-high 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting. He also added four steals, five rebounds and an assist.
* CAR HOP: Before the game, Evans shared his thoughts on Griffin, whom he called a "high-flier." But he also said he figures he's a better leaper than the Clippers' star.
"Measure the verticals, I think I got him," Evans said with a confident smile.
Asked if he'd ever leaped a Kia automobile as Griffin did during last year's dunk contest, Evans admitted Griffin inspired him to try jumping over his 2011 Camero.
"The front end," he said. "I didn't think I could make it but I tried."
* INJURY REPORT: The Jazz were without reserve forwards Josh Howard (left quad strain) and Derrick Favors (left ankle sprain), two key members of the bench. ... The Clippers did not have point guards Chris Paul (left hamstring strain) and Mo Williams (sore right foot).
* ETC.: The Clippers have not won a game in Salt Lake City since Jan. 22, 2003, a streak of 16 consecutive losses. ... The Jazz have beaten the Clippers in 45 of their last 43 contests. ... The Clippers never led during Tuesday's game.
* UP NEXT: The Jazz will play host to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. It will be a nationally-televised on TNT, which means the game won't start locally until approximately 8:30 p.m.
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