Tonight the Utah Flash (1-2) took on another 1-2 team, the Reno Bighorns.

Though the Flash controlled the game from the 2nd quarter on, they had to survive an early 4th quarter surge from the Bighorns to seal the victory.

J.R. Giddens showed an ability to go into "Me mode" in the 4th quarter. On 3 consecutive possessions starting the 4th quarter, he took ill advised shots; one resulting in an offensive foul, another just a bad shot (a contested 20 footer) and a '1-and-done' possession and the final play, a drive midway into the paint surrounded by 3 defenders, resulting in a weakside block by the Bighorns. These ill advised decisions by Giddens allowed Reno to cut the lead down to 6 about 3 to 4 minutes into the 4th.

Bill Walker showed an ability to get to the rim and draw contact when he wants to. This is especially valuable because he appears to be a very good free-throw shooter (9 for 9 on the game). His aggressiveness helped stem the Reno tide midway through the 4th. Reno would get as close as 6 but no closer.

Giddens looked extremely reckless and sloppy early in the 4th quarter. Beyond the previously mentioned consecutive plays, his decision making was all around poor and resulted in a much closer final quarter than could have been had. Definitely seemed like he was pressing hard early in the 4th, trying to do too much. He didn't get his first points in the quarter until around 5:30 remaining (which was another good play among the trees in the paint).

However, Giddens did eventually get into a groove in the 4th after his play in the paint, adding a stellar drive to the rim for two and a contested three to his final tally. Those two offensive plays, coupled with a flash of quick hands on defense and a steal, largely put the game out of reach for Reno. Giddens ended up with 10 for the quarter and 24 on the game. Walker finished with 16 for the game. Giddens also added 9 boards.

The teams were evenly matched for the better part of the first quarter of play, mostly exchanging baskets with very little defense to be had on either end of the court. Their were a fair share of turnovers but mostly they were the result of unforced errors. You're going to get that at this level though. The positives for the Flash were certainly the play of J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker.

In the first, Walker managed to get to the line four times in the first and make all his free throws. He shows a pretty smooth stroke from the free-throw line.

Giddens managed to get to the rim with good explosiveness and showed good ball handling in the first. He took his defender off the dribble with some impressive handle.

Giddens also showed an ability to sneak in for offensive rebounds and a comfortableness in the trees once he got them. He also flashed decent range (about 17 ft) with his jumper.

The Flash led 27 to 23 at the end of 1.

The Flash's team defense certainly lacked on both the first and second team, especially during the 1st quarter, but with the help of Giddens quick hands, Bill Walker's solid positions and Carlos Wheeler's hustle, the Flash were able to extend their lead to 53-40 by the half.

Walker showed off some decent post moves and an ability to draw or force contact and get to the line in the 2nd, though his passing out of the post leaves quite a bit to be desired. It was rather sloppy and off-target at times.

Walker showed a good amount of hustle and energy on the defensive end, with good leaping ability for a guy his size. Certainly no shot blocker but manages to challenge and bother jumpshooters. This could get him into foul trouble like young Tony Allen in the NBA though.

Giddens did have one highlight reel posterization in the 2nd quarter. He can elevate when taking it to the rim, for sure.

Neither Walker, nor Giddens seems to be particularly aggressive on defense like the Celtics play. However both appear to at the very least not be weak links. Both players manage to keep their assignments in front of them.

Utah kept their lead intact in the 3rd quarter, managing to keep the margin at 12, 75-63.

More solid defense by Bill Walker highlighted the Flash's performance in the 3rd, as well as one solid drive to the rim. Walker has some explosiveness there, albeit less than Giddens.

With the win, Utah improves to 2-2 on the year while Reno falls to 1-3.