Big night for the Jazz: They overcome a 19-point first-quarter deficit and some serious first-team lethargy to beat the Trail Blazers, and in the process they finally reach a .500 plateau that a month ago looked a long way off.

How quickly things change, both in a season and a game.
   
A couple weeks ago the Jazz might have lost this game, as they did in previous blowout defeats at the hands of the Raptors, Hawks, Suns, Spurs and even these same Blazers.
   
But this team may have turned a corner, as evidenced by a 99-87 victory Thursday over Portland at the Rose Garden.
     
"First we wanted to win a couple games in a row, then we wanted to get to .500," said Utah's Karl Malone. "Now, who knows? Anything can happen."
     
You might not think a 15-15 record would be momentous for a team with the Jazz's tradition, but keep in mind this team has struggled mightily the past two months. They are not above taking pleasure in even a relatively minor moment.