| 22 April 2009
Two down, two to go. And whilst this game was a lot closer than game 1, I still take a lot of positives out of it, running towards game 3.
- Every time the Jazz pressed, the Lakers steadied, and put a buffer back up.
- Deron Williams scored 35 points with 9 dimes, and Carlos Boozer got 20 points with 10 boards... yet the Jazz still lost. That's gratifying in that I'm not sure that those two can do that every night - and they're going to need to to win games.
- The Jazz have only one 2 games this month. A win against the ailing Hornets (in NOLA), and a win over the Clippers at home. Their deplorable April includes home losses against Golden State and Minnesota. Yes, Minnesota. That's incredibly promising for LA heading into 2 games in Salt Lake.
- The Lakers still don't look like they're in 4th gear yet. They're cruising, and winning. At no stage watching the first two games did I feel that Utah were going to win. Sure, there were a few points in the last game where I felt they were pressing... but I still had a gut-feeling that the game was LA's.
- Phil Jackson teams are 41-0 when winning the first game of a playoff series. After winning games 1 & 2? The Lakers are 37-1 all time! ... Just sayin'.
- Deron Williams was allowed to score 35 with 9 dimes and Boozey put in a 20/10? Please, don't let them get easy buckets!
- I'm pretty sure that given Okur was a game-time decision for game 2, he should be ready for game game 3. Depending on how mobile he is, this could either help or hinder the Jazz. If he's good to go, then he'll be pulling Bynum/Gasol out near the 3 - and that will open up the paint for Deron Williams to go into attack mode. Whoever the other big is (Gasol/Odom), they have to be ready to put the pressure on Williams. Defensive rotations have to be aware!
Avoid jumpshooting too much. At times, LA don't attack enough when they have a clear advantage in the paint. And against Utah, the advantage is quite literally huge. Get the ball in low early, and kick out later.- LA coasting sometimes worries me - that they won't be able to turn it on when necessary. Still, amassing a 65-win season deserves some trust.
- Will be really interesting to watch Kobe's reaction to the referees post his somewhat interesting technical foul in the dying seconds of game 2 after getting mob-tackled (pictured)... say what?
I think that game 3'd be a very, very nice game to win. And I think we can. Utah will be looking to really dirty the game up, get it down and nasty... and I'd really like the Lakers to come out and display some of the physicality that they've been villified for become known for over the last season. Get that lead, put the foot on the throat, and don't let up.
