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Chubby Chaser wrote:Lakers have the best road record in the western conference. And the second best road record in the league. And after watching 80 out of their 82 games this season, I can attest that Lakers do play better on the road. They tend to lose focus and relax a little bit when at home. When going into a hostile situation and playing on the road, the players remain focused for the whole game. This is the main reason why we're doing so well in the playoffs right now, because we can maintain that aggressive intensity on the road.

See, the thing is that it's not that the Jazz's opponents play bad in the ESA, it's that the Jazz play much better than normal there.

If I was a Jazz fan I would be extremely worried, this game is do or die.

tracey_nice wrote:If I was a Jazz fan I would be extremely worried, this game is do or die.

If I was a Rockets fan than I would be extremely worried...bout who I'm gettin in the draft...

vainsake wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



If I was a Rockets fan than I would be extremely worried...bout who I'm gettin in the draft...

lol if you have ever paid any attention to anything you would know I am not a Rockets fan.

tracey_nice wrote:-= original quote snipped =-


lol if you have ever paid any attention to anything you would know I am not a Rockets fan.

You sure seemed to be rootin for the Rockets last round.

The Jazz should feel confident going home. They are more powerful there; they get that Super Saiyan power.

But the thing that Jazz should be concerned about is the same thing the Spurs have to be concerned about. The Jazz haven't really challenged the Lakers; they haven't lead at all in 2 games. Even when they get to within 5 or 6 points the Lakers run off a quick 6-8 point run to extend their lead to double digits.

The Jazz need to get to a lead and stay out of foul trouble. That's difficult because Kobe hasn't really been aggressive. He has been able to get to the rim and set up his teammates for easy shots.

The Jazz are going to need Deron to be All NBA and just take over. I think the Lakers defense has been better than it was in the regular season. Also the Lakers do get more complacent at home than on the road. I think they will play harder on defense on the road than at home because they have to......

vainsake wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



You sure seemed to be rootin for the Rockets last round.

He may just dislike the Jazz.

Well, this place sure got quiet.

I think Laker fans cheered for the Rockets solely to extend the series.

This is the game I had pegged for as a loss for the Lakers. Depending on how the Lakers lose (close loss for example), I still have them winning Game 4 and then finishing the series off in 5 at Staples. If they come out strong Game 3, no matter how the Jazz react, then that'll be a great sign for the rest of the series and a short series at that.

I will be very disappointed if the Jazz lose tomorrow. As someone already pointed out, it's do or die time for the Jazz. Playing at the ESA is a huge plus for the Jazz, no matter how better the Lakers play on the road.

Let's see how many people actually show up to this Jazz game... First Sunday game for Utah since 2001...

NetsForce wrote:Let's see how many people actually show up to this Jazz game... First Sunday game for Utah since 2001...

Game 3 is on Friday, game 4 on Sunday.

Kobe knows how important this game his. That along with how much he hates Jazz fans is going to result to a heartbreaker for all Jazz fans IMO. Unless the Jazz start doubling(which Sloan is to stubborn to do), they are going to have a hard time winning. Double hard and make Laker role players hit shots in a hostile enviroment like the ESA.

2-1 series gives the Jazz hope, 3-0 series has them starting to think about next season. Kobe knows this which is why I expect a win in a close game. Game winner maybe?

EDIT: Grammar errors

I think it doesn't matter where they play, as Kobe said, crowd is just a noise and I believe him. The better team will win.
And if Utah is to be considered a contender, they have to win convincingly. I don't care how but they have to. Boozer can't have three bad games in a row.
LA is a team to beat and the Jazz has to find some confidence.

NetsForce wrote:Let's see how many people actually show up to this Jazz game... First Sunday game for Utah since 2001...

The Sunday game will be jammed packed and I'm pertty sure it has been sold out now for a while.

Amazingly, non-Mormons live in Salt Lake City! Even more amazingly, Mormon's themselves will break certain rules from time to time.

Jon Barry said the Utah Jazz will for sure win game 3. Anything Jon Barry says, of course, is correct.

This game should be interesting. Typically teams win the game 3 at home when they are down 0-2. I'm not saying the Lakers will come out complacent or anything, but the Jazz should come out fired up with their backs against the wall and the Lakers may just show enough feeling comfortable with themselves to show a Utah win. Plus, the whistles that the home team gets are now going to go to Utah (well, in theory, depending on how aggressive the Jazz play).

While I won't say the Jazz are destined to win tomorrow, they have a good shot of doing so.

Game 4 is another story...

Coaching Better Basketball Blog wrote:The issue that I see with the series though is the way the first 2 games have been officiated. Phil Jackson said as much in his in-game interview in Game 1, how all the ticky-tack fouls were making it difficult for either team to get a feel of the game. Now, in Game 2, the Lakers have adjusted by using their speed and length in combination with the whistle-happy refs to gain a significant advantage.

If the refs in game 3 get rid of the ticky-tack fouls again, the Utah Jazz will regain their defensive mojo.

SWWEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the second round this year home teams are 10-0. Lets see if the Lakers can break that trend.