SALT LAKE CITY — Al Jefferson has some advice for Jimmer Fredette: Adjust and keep moving.
Fredette, the former BYU All-American, came to EnergySolutions Arena along with his Sacramento Kings teammates Friday. Apparently still a lightning rod between BYU and Utah fans who also support the Jazz, the 23-year-old was booed almost every time he touched the ball.
He played nearly 17 minutes and scored 10 points on 3-for-7 shooting. All three baskets were 3-pointers.
Fredette, a lottery pick in 2011, came into Friday’s game averaging just 6.1 points and fewer than 10 minutes a game. He is sharing time at point guard as well as shooting guard, but the Kings are well stocked at both positions with Aaron Brooks at the point and Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton at two-guard spot.
Many NBA observers believe Fredette is not an good situation and would be better served playing for another team.
Jefferson, who spent time on some bad teams in Boston and Minnesota before coming to the Jazz, said he can relate.
“It can be tough for anybody but at the day, the NBA is all about adjustments,” said Jefferson. “The team’s got to adjust to him and he’s got to adjust to the system.”
GAME 13
Jazz 104, Kings 102
BEST PLAY: Gordon Hayward comes off a baseline screen, catches a pass from Jamaal Tinsley just inside the 3-point line and swishes a 22-foot shot to break a 102-all tie with 4.5 seconds left.
BEST LINE: Derrick Favors came off the bench to score 16 points, 14 rebounds and two blocked shots.
KEY STAT: The Jazz went 13-for-15 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter while outscoring the Kings 31-22. Hayward and Tinsley combined to go 6-for-6.
BELL NEWS: According to a report on the website Yahoo! Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers have interest in Jazzman Raja Bell.
Bell is on Utah’s roster but has yet to play this season. He got into a feud with Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin late last season and did not play in the postseason, even though he was healthy.
After the season ended last April, Bell made it known he was unhappy with the Jazz and didn’t appreciate the way Corbin handled him.
L.A. recently hired coach Mike D’Antoni to run the team. D’Antoni coached Bell with the Suns between 2005 and 2009.
Bell, 36, is set to make $3.48 million from the Jazz this season. According to Yahoo!, if he can find a contract for the league minimum elsewhere, the Jazz could buy out the remaining portion of his contract.
HISTORY LESSON: On today’s date in 1999, Lakers’ forward A.C. Green tied former Jazzman Ron Boone for the longest consecutive games played streak in professional basketball history by playing in his 1,041st game when the Lakers hosted Utah at Staples Center. Boone’s record incorporated games played in the ABA and the NBA. Green became the NBA’s all-time iron man when he played his 907th consecutive game while a member of the Dallas Mavericks on November 20, 1997, passing Randy Smith, who played in 906 consecutive games for Buffalo, San Diego, Cleveland and New York.
WATSON CLEARED TO PLAY: Jazz point guard Earl Watson went through Friday morning’s shootaround and was cleared to play in the game. He 9:33, did not score but had two assists and two rebounds.
INJURY REPORT: Mo Williams sprained his right ankle at the 5:41 mark of the first quarter. He had the ankle re-taped and returned briefly in the second quarter but left and did not return. Officially, he is day-to-day.
UP NEXT: The Jazz and Kings will meet again tonight in Sacramento, Calif. They’ll return to play host to the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
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