Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz >> Game 2 At The Staples Center Tonight
Written by Jamie McCracken
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April 21, 2009
LOS ANGELES, C.A. -- The Lakers may have won game one, but the second half was not pretty to say the least. Utah pitched a tent at the foul line, while L.A. gave up 60 second-half points. Laker coach, Phil Jackson, made it noticed that he was displeased after Sunday's performance saying "We're not going to win 15 games if we play like that." Utah has not won a game in the Staples Center in 10 appearances, including a 113-100 game one loss Sunday afternoon. Mehmet Okur is questionable for tonight's game. Okur has a strained right hamstring and has missed eight days with the injury. We all know about the well-documented road record for Utah. Jerry Sloan's team has a 14-25 record on the road this season. It also should be noted that Utah is a disgraceful 28-81 away from Salt Lake in franchise playoff games. The X-factor once again for the Jazz- Deron Williams. The Jazz goes as Deron goes. Coming off a playoff career-high 17 assist, Williams will need to be the team's floor master once again if the Jazz have any intentions of stealing a game in L.A. Meanwhile, the superstar on the other side of the court, Kobe Bryant, has relished every moment so far. Bryant did not force anything in Sunday's win over the Jazz. In fact, Bryant shot 9-17, 52 percent from the field in 40 minutes. Bryants 24 points were the quietest 24 a player could have. Pau Gasol looks to be the guy the Jazz need to stop. 20 points and nine rebounds for Gasol in game one. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET. The Lakers have won 10 straight playoff games at home. |
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