Lakers vs. Jazz Game Two Preview

Both teams coaching staffs are very familiar with each other as well as each others style of play. This is the third time the coaching staffs have faced each other in the playoffs, the staffs met in the Finals in 1997 & 1998 won by the Chicago Bulls when Phil Jackson coached the Bulls. There have been a few changes from the coaching staff in Chicago to the one in Los Angeles but still the same philosophy.

There will be no surprises in this series due to the familiarity on both sides that makes this series about offensive execution and which team executes their offense the best.  

The Lakers took the first game of the series 109 – 98 after a five day waiting period. The Utah Jazz came out and executed their deliberate offense and was physical on defense. The Jazz used that physicality to gain a big advantage on the glass out-rebounding the Lakers 58 – 41.

On the surface, when you see a rebounding disparity this big you have no choice but to notice a cause for concern. The fact of the matter in game one was that the Jazz won the rebounding battle and still lost the game by 11 points.

How does that happen? The Jazz played a good defensive game. The Lakers know that they’re at their best with excellent ball movement and player movement. The Lakers want to get the ball inside to Pau Gasol and if that is cut off Kobe can always win his one-on-one match up or find the open man.

Utah’s aggressive play led to several fouls being called on them and two of their starters, Carlos Boozer & Andrei Kirilenko fouling out. The style of play led the Lakers on a parade to the free throw line. Kobe Bryant knocked down a career playoff high of 21-of-23 free throws.

The Utah Jazz had way too many turnovers and settled for way too many jump shots when they’re not a great jump shooting team. The jump shooting actually caused them to get out of position on defense and the game was literally won in the second quarter when the Jazz turnovers caused the game to get away from them. The Jazz shot 28 percent from the field and fell behind by 17 points.

The Lakers countered the Jazz commitment to rebounding by making Utahpay in transition lay-ups and fast break points where the Lakers held a 17-6 advantage. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers in scoring with 38 points but what can’t be discounted was the total team effort Pau Gasol scoring 18, Lamar Odom scoring 16 and Sasha Vujacic scoring 15 points off the bench.

The playoffs are about adjustments and who can make them and still execute their offense to perfection and get stops on defense. The Lakers stayed on course and made it happen. The Utah Jazz did not.