| 09 May 2010
(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers 111, Utah Jazz 110
Game 3 was one of those games that only serve as proof that you can’t let teams hang around when you have them on the ropes, especially not teams led by Kobe Bryant.
The Utah Jazz jumped out to an early lead playing with a well-defined game plan: don’t let the Lakers get going in the post. And for the most part, the game plan worked. Andrew Bynum finished with no points and only four rebounds and Pau Gasol finished with 14 points and 17 rebounds. In the first two meetings, the Lakers averaged 23.5 plays per game where the offense was run through the post, in Game 3, there were only 17. For the Jazz, that’s exactly what they wanted as the majority of those post possessions were absorbed by spot-up jump shots, where the Lakers had 34 possessions ending that way.
Usually, 34 possessions ending in spot up jumpers would spell out the Lakers demise, but it was not the case in Game 3. The Lakers took 29 shots from behind the arch(!) and made 13 of them(!!). Nine times out of 10, if the Lakers finish a game with 29 three-point attempts, they will lose. Unfortunately for the Jazz, they caught the Lakers on one of those nights where they hit at a rate that is just good enough to get them a win. Ron Artest finally found his stroke hitting a few wide-open three pointers, four total, and Derek Fisher hit three of his own. The two combined for 40 points on only 26 shots. Again, what more can the Jazz do? They finally hold the bigs to as little production as you can ask from this Jazz team, yet Fisher and Artest both have 20 points.
The Jazz finally got a big game from Deron Williams who finished with 28 and nine. Utah also got 23 unexpected points from Kyle Korver, who was nine for 10 from the field including a perfect five for five from behind the arch. The Jazz shot better from the field, had more rebounds, more free throw attempts, more assists and had just as many points in the paint as the Lakers, but still allowed Carlos Boozer to cost them the game. Boozer finished with an unproductive 14 points on 16 shots with 14 rebounds and some costly mistakes down the stretch (more on this later).
Why The Lakers Won This Game
Out side of Kobe being Kobe, the Lakers were able to withstand the Utah early barrage and chipped away at the Jazz early lead to go into the half only down four. In the second half, Ron Artest scored 18 of his 20 and Derek Fisher hit a couple of daggers. When you get 40 combined points from Ron Artest and Derek Fisher, it’s nearly impossible to beat this Lakers team. For maybe the first time this postseason, the Lakers won off of the efforts from their three parameter starters. You can’t expect this kind of effort to replicate itself too many more times this postseason, but looking forward, if you’re the Lakers, it’s nice to know that it can happen.
Why The Jazz Lost This Game
With just over four minutes left in the fourth, Carlos Boozer went to the free throw line with a two-point Jazz lead. He missed both free throws. With 2:34 left in the game, Deron Williams finds a cutting Carlos Boozer who fumbles the ball out of bounds. With seven seconds left, Carlos Boozer gets an offensive rebound after a missed Wesley Matthews three pointer, and found a way to block himself off the bottom of the rim. Carlos Boozer’s propensity to crumble under pressure, especially against the Lakers is unprecedented. I’ve never seen someone with zero clutch ability. Next Thanksgiving, I’m giving thanks for not having to root for Booz.
Looking Ahead To Game Four
The Jazz seemed down and depleted after Game 3. They gave the Lakers their best shot and still couldn’t come out on top. I don’t expect this team to come out with the same kind of energy. I’m not saying that they’re going to lay down for the Lakers, but I know it’s hard to come out and play knowing you gave a team your best shot and still ended up on the loosing end of that stick.
Prediction: The Lakers close out the Jazz in Utah
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
