The halftime box score looked like a misprint. Jazz center Greg Ostertag was the Jazz's leading scorer and rebounder. But things got even stranger after that.
Playing in the most important game in his life, the Jazz center scored the same number of points and out-rebounded Dream Team center Hakeem Olajuwon, Thursday night, as the Jazz took a 103-100 over Houston to earn their first-ever trip to the NBA Finals."It's about time I had this kind of night," he said.
Ostertag had 12 points and seven rebounds at the midway point - both highs on the team. But by game's end, he had even more impressive totals. He ended with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Olajuwon had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Scoring and rebounding notwithstanding, it was two key blocks that were perhaps his biggest contributions. He finished the game with three blocks, before fouling out with 32.3 seconds remaining.
For most of this series, Ostertag had more than his share of problems trying to contain Olajuwon. The Houston center was averaging 29.4 points a game against Ostertag, Greg Foster and Antoine Carr - the three players assigned to guard Olajuwon. But Ostertag started quickly on Thursday, making his first six shots. "I had a lot of open looks on the offensive end," he said.
Defensively, Ostertag kept Olajuwon away from the basket virtually the entire game. He blocked Olajuwon's shot with 2:28 to go and the Jazz behind 96-89. He blocked another Olajuwon shot with 43 seconds remaining and the score tied.
"I don't know how the guy could play any better," said teammate Karl Malone. "Guys who say he can't play in this league, something's wrong."
Ostertag left the game briefly in the game with 39 seconds left in the half after landing on Jeff Hornacek's foot and twisting an ankle. But he said the injury wasn't serious. "I turned it out," he said.
Raised in Duncanville, Texas, Ostertag had several relatives in attendance, adding that playing well near his home was "especially satisfying."
But containing Olajuwon was even more satisfying. "Tonight I think I finally stepped up and played some good defense," said Ostertag. "I had a good game against him. I stopped him to the best of my ability."
Concerning the two blocks late in the game, Ostertag said, "I was feeling good. I finally showed I can play defense. I thought I did a good job on him."
His next assignment will be Chicago's Luc Longley. Said Ostertag, "Luc is a good player, but he's more of a perimeter big guy. So I'll have to step out there and guard him."