Font Resize
When the dogfight between Utah and Detroit reached its most critical moment Saturday night, Andrei Kirilenko stepped to the free-throw line and didn't worry about anything.
"I didn't think, I didn't think, I didn't think," he said. "... You just go through [your routine], shoot-shoot and you're out."
In this case, the Pistons were out of luck.
Kirilenko buried two free throws with 9.8 seconds left in overtime to help Utah secure a 100-97 victory at EnergySolutions Arena.
Kirilenko, who went 7-for-9 in the game, is shooting 80.6 percent from the free-throw line this season.
"The last few practices I have been shooting a great percentage," Kirilenko said. I've been working with Jeff [Hornacek] a lot, so finally it pays off. I'm making shots, especially in the crunch moments. So I like it."
Kirilenko also started overtime by making a pair of free throws, which gave Utah a 92-90 lead.
"The other night in a game, he missed one and [some fans] booed him," coach Jerry Sloan said. "They can't wait for him to do something wrong sometimes -- because of the past, I guess.
"But Andrei stepped up and handled it like he should. I think he's got confidence and his teammates have confidence. I certainly have confidence in him."
Kirilenko scored 15 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
He also blocked two shots in the game, giving him 1,250 in his career. He needs three to tie Greg
"I thought he had an excellent game," Sloan said. "He made a couple of [jump] shots and, if he does that, they have to come out an guard him. That makes it a little easier for [Carlos] Boozer and Paul [Millsap] to play around he basket."
Kirilenko's biggest outside shot was a three-pointer with one minute left in regulation. It gave the Jazz a 90-88 lead.
They didn't hold onto it, but they didn't squander all of it, either.
"I mean, I miss two right before," Kirilenko said, smiling. "I should make at last one."
The Jazz converted five of their 10 possessions in overtime and seemed a bit more in-sync than the Pistons.
"When that time of the game happens, it's very important to bring some energy -- start running -- because people tire [and] people lose focus," Kirilenko said.
"In those kind of moments, you can get some easy layups. You can steal the ball or get an extra rebound. Those kind of things always pay off."
According to Kirilenko, Utah played "very good team basketball at the end of the game. We concentrate. We still have a few mistakes down the stretch. But we were very determined to get the ball inside."
