Lakers-Jazz: Game Four Preview

This is the time for more of those previously discussed playoff adjustments for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Jazz, fueled by their home crowd and a monster performance by Carlos Boozer, got back into the series.

The Jazz have been beating up the Lakers with the goal of wearing them down. Utah has a lot of fouls to give and believe me, they’re using them. This tactic isn’t illegal, and it has affected Pau Gasol by getting him out of his game. It’s time for Lakers to face the fact that the banging is coming; they need to stand up to it and deal with it.

The Lakers must make a statement and shove back in Game Four. I know coach Phil Jackson has his player rotations already set, but why not use D.J. Mbenga as the backup to Pau Gasol at center? He has the size to be effective rebounding, blocking shots and banging with Carlos Boozer. Plus. he has six fouls to use.

The Jazz are packing it inside on the Lakers, clogging the paint area, and pushing the Lakers around. The Lakers can avoid another Utah mugging by Vladimir Radmanovic, Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar making their shots to spread the floor.

The Lakers need more than three shots from Lamar Odom. He didn’t have a bad game (13 points and 12 rebounds) but he needs to be more aggressive. The Lakers' bench needs to be more aggressive and energetic. 

Derek Fisher is a key contributor in this series. He has to stay out of foul trouble to maintain the defensive balance. Fisher is a quiet leader on this team. He has been through this before and will make the necessary adjustments for Game Four.

Phil Jackson and the Lakers' coaching staff will make the adjustments and have the team ready to play a solid game on Mother’s Day, without 18 turnovers. The Lakers will control the tempo, knock down some timely shots, play better defensively and out-rebound the Jazz to take Game Four and return to Los Angeles with a 3–1 series lead.