Lakers-Jazz: Utah Makes LA Turn Over Game Three 104–99

The series moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, but that wasn’t the only thing that changed on Friday night.

Carlos Boozer dominated tonight and the Jazz hung on to win 104–99 to snap the Lakers 10-game win streak and cut the Lakers' series lead to 2-1.

The Lakers started off fast with an 8–0 run and took an early 11–3 lead on the Jazz, and then Derek Fisher picked up two early fouls and had to be replaced by Jordan Farmar.

This was the exact type of advantage that the Jazz were looking for.

It allowed Deron Williams and the Jazz to get into the necessary rhythm to get the lead and feed off of the home crowd. The Jazz went on an 8–0 run the moment Derek Fisher went out of the game. The teams battled to a 23 all tie to end the first quarter.

The second quarter is where the game was won by the Jazz. The Jazz forced 10 Lakers turnovers that they converted into 18 points. The shots that wouldn’t fall in for Los Angeles went for the Jazz at Salt Lake. It was a total team effort for the Jazz as everyone contributed.

The Lakers missed four lay-ups, which helped the Jazz to score easy baskets. Carlos Boozer, who was pressing all series, came alive at home. Boozer was taken out of his game so far in the playoffs by his taller opponents. Boozer is a solid player, and the feeling was that he would break out of his shell and make an impact on this series.

That breakout happened tonight as he scored 12 points in the first half and finished with 27 points and 20 rebounds and the player-of-the-game title. The Jazz led at the half 52–43.

The Lakers were playing catch-up the entire game for the first time in the series. The multiple turnovers, missed shots, and being out-rebounded took a toll on the Lakers. The Lakers dodged a bullet in the first two games of the series but couldn’t Friday night.

Kobe Bryant, who was more of a facilitator, had eight points in the first half and carried the Lakers in the second half, finishing with a game high 34 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.  Bryant helped the Lakers get back in the game in the second half. This was the game the Utah Jazz had to win to stay in the series.

The interesting thing was that as well as the Jazz played at home, the Lakers were in a position to steal the game down by three points with three minutes to play. The Jazz forced 18 Lakers turnovers and forced the Lakers to shoot 5-for-23 on three-point shots.

Deron Williams finished with 18 points and 12 assists. Mehmet Okur had 20 points, and the Utah bench outscored the Lakers bench 24–19.

The Playoffs are all about adjustments. The Jazz came out and played with great effort, energy, and enthusiasm. The Lakers never matched that energy.

The Jazz were again very physical with Pau Gasol, and this took him out of his game. The Lakers can't afford to have this type of disappearing act from Gasol.

He didn’t get the foul calls that he received in Los Angeles, and he will have to play through this tactic and be more aggressive offensively to get to the foul line.

This was the first sign of playoff adversity for Pau Gasol and the Lakers, who will make the necessary adjustments.

The Lakers have to adjust to the fact that tonight the Jazz were quicker to the loose balls and more aggressive on defense.

The Lakers know they’ll have to play better in these key areas to avoid coming back to Los Angeles with the series tied. Game four will be on Sunday, Mother's Day at 12:30 p.m. PST.