LA-Utah: Lakers Stifle Jazz With 120 – 110 Win

Prior to the start of the game the crowd was electric as Kobe Bryant was presented his MVP trophy in a brief ceremony with Commissioner David Stern. The Lakers faithful gave Kobe Bryant the background sounds of M-V-P chants as he addressed the crowd.

“I’m at a loss for words, I don’t know what to say” Bryant said as the crowd of 18,997 loudly gave their approval “I love you guys so much. We’re going to play until June. Let’s get this party started.” After the presentation, Bryant’s wife and two young daughters gave him a bouquet of flowers at center court.

The Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 120 – 110 to take a 2-0 lead; the Lakers are 6 – 0 and the NBA’s only undefeated team in the postseason.

Both teams started off hot offensively. Game two did have to appearance of a repeat of game one. This was the second straight game that Carlos Boozer was saddled with foul trouble. Kobe Bryant had 12 first quarter points on three-for four shooting and three-for –three from the free throw line; he finished the game with 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The ball movement and player movement as well as the speed of the Lakers again caused problems for the Jazz. The Lakers jumped out to another early lead and once again had the Jazz playing from behind at the half this game down by 14 points courtesy of a 20 – 5 run to end the half.  

Paul Milsap came in off the bench with Boozer in foul trouble and almost single-handily kept the Jazz within striking distance, he finished the game with a career playoff high 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Jazz top two players Boozer and Williams were a combined 0-4 shooting in the first half, the score at the half was 63 - 49.

Deron Williams came alive in the second half and finished the game with 25 points, including three 3-pointers in the final minute, and 10 assists. Carlos Boozer was held to 10 points all in the second half and again spent the entire game in foul trouble.

The Jazz drew within nine points early in the third quarter before Kobe Bryant outscored the Jazz 9-4 which made the score 82 – 68. Utah outscored the Lakers in the 3^rd quarter 34-30 and still trailed by 93 – 83.

The Jazz outrebounded the Lakers in game one and again Wednesday night 41 – 37 but the difference tonight of four was minimal. The Jazz did attempt a season-high 101 shots, shooting 44.6 percent. The Jazz used an 11-4 run to cut the lead to five points to make the score 99-94 at the 5:58 mark. Sasha Vujacic  knocked down a jumper, Derek Fisher hit a 3-pointer and Pau Gasol made a free throw which extended the Laker lead to 105 – 94 at the 4:26 mark.

Derek Fisher finished with 22 points, Pau Gasol with 20 points; Lamar Odom added 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers. The Lakers shot 57.4 percent from the field and made 35 free throws--22 more than the Jazz. The Lakers winning game two now makes this a five game series meaning the Utah Jazz need to win four of the next five which is a daunting task.

On the bright side the Jazz had seven players in double figures, they’ve also won the rebounding battle twice and held a 21 – 2 advantage in second chance points; but their physical defense has placed them in foul trouble and for the second straight game, two of their players have fouled out of the game.

The Utah Jazz proved that they can score but will need to play with great energy and enthusiasm and find a way to play better defensively to be able to not have to play from behind. The Jazz will also have to find a way to free up Carlos Boozer who has struggled in the low post against the speed and length of the Lakers. He isn’t the best outside shooter and is not a great threat on the perimeter. Something has to change to get him more involved in the offense . The scene shifts to Salt Lake City, Utah for game three Friday night at the Energy Solutions Center at 6:30pm PST.