Game Three, LA Lakers Got Pushed Around in Utah: Quarter by Quarter Breakdown

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That was a thing of beauty in STAPLES Center, thanks to the Lakers hot shooting:

• We shot 58% from the field in the first two games
• 18 of 35 from the three point line (51%)
• The Lakers had a 30-17 fast break point edge in the first two games
• Trevor Ariza was averaging 17 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4 rpg, 1 spg, 13-16 FG and 6-7 from three

Not everything went our way, as the Jazz led in the following categories:

• 64-56 — Made free throws (eight more makes)
• 29-14 — Offensive rebounding
• 34-38 — Turnover
• 23-16 — Steals

My Thoughts Before GameThree

I want to give credit to the Jazz for continuing to fight back, and that is not to say I expected them to simply lie down; they are playing hard, but are clearly hurting from not having Mehmet Okur out there.

The first two games was just a matter of the Jazz just simply not having enough talent to keep up. Keep in mind that the Jazz averaged 104.5 ppg, but lost the first two games by a combined 23 points.

Unless the Lakers have an off night, this could be a sweep.

The Lakers need to use these Western Conference series to get Bynum in a grove, continue to develop Brown, and build Ariza’s confidence.

Everything starts with Deron Williams — with his shot, his dribble penetration, and his defense (four steals in Game Two). Deron Williams is averaging 25.5 ppg, 13 apg, 3.5 rpg, 3 spg, and 3 threes going into Game Three.

When the game was on the line in the fourth quarter of Game 2, how did the Kobe’s entourage perform?

• Lamar Odom — 7 points, 1 rebound
• Pau Gasol — 1 rebound, 2 blocks, 0-2 FT, and 1 turnover, in 5 minutes
• Trevor Ariza — 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal in 5 minutes
• Shannon Brown — 6 points

To read the quarter by quarter breakdown of Game Three, go to Lakers101.com.