2nd Round: LA Lakers vs. Utah - Series LAL leads (2-1)

[Texas Longhorns]

2ND ROUND SERIES of the

( 1 ) Los Angeles Lakers (57-25) vs. ( 4 ) Utah Jazz (54-28 )

Link to game thread 1
Link to game thread 2

Gm. 1: Sun., May 4: JAZZ 98 @ LAKERS 109 FINAL
Gm. 2: Wed., May 7: JAZZ 110 @ LAKERS 120 FINAL
Gm. 3: Fri., May 9: LAKERS 99 @ JAZZ 104 FINAL
Gm. 4: Sun., May 11: Live on ABC
Gm. 5*: Wed., May 14: at L.A., TBD (TNT)
Gm. 6*: Fri., May 16: at Utah, TBD (ESPN)
Gm. 7*: Mon. May 19: at L.A., TBD (TNT)
* if necessary

REGULAR SEASON SERIES
Lakers lead 3-1
Nov. 4: Jazz 109 at Lakers 119
Nov. 30: Lakers 96 at Jazz 120
Dec. 28: Jazz 109 at Lakers 123
Mar. 20: Lakers 106 at Jazz 95

Projected Starting Lineup



PG - Derek Fisher
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Vladimir Radmanovic
PF - Lamar Odom
C - Pau Gasol

Projected Starting Lineup



PG - Deron Williams
SG - Ronnie Brewer
SF - Andrei Kirilenko
PF - Carlos Boozer
C- Mehmet Okur

*******************************************************

The Lakers have taken a commanding 2-0 lead going into game 3 in Utah. Kobe Bryant received his MVP trophy in game 2 and went off for 34 points while Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom both combined had 39 pts/21 rbs/7 ast/1 stl/7 blks. Utah's Deron Williams had 25 to lead the Jazz in another defeat at Staples Center. As this series shifts to Salt Lake City, it will be interesting to see if the Lakers can play well on the road in this hostile arena. The Jazz held the best record in the regular season for home court at 37-4. Can the Jazz win game 3 or will the Lakers remain undefeated in the playoffs this year. Quick side note: Phil Jackson is 39-0 when he wins game 1 of a playoff series.

[Killuminati]

Lakers in 5.

I could've sworn there was a thread already created.

EDIT: Kobe/Gasol will be the better duo.

[Texas Longhorns]

Lakers in 5.

I could've sworn there was a thread already created.

Renewed because the other one is about to reach 100.

[Killuminati]

-= original quote snipped =-



Renewed because the other one is about to reach 100.

I'm a Raptor fan so don't mind me. We are used to seeing regular game threads shoot passed 100+ pages.

[Texas Longhorns]

-= original quote snipped =-

I'm a Raptor fan so don't mind me. We are used to seeing regular game threads shoot passed 100+ pages.

Yeah, I saw that in the first round. You guys tore up the General Board by yourselves.

[KB20]

Game 3 is vital. If we win it then I can't see them coming back to win 3 of 4.

[Big Bird]

I wouldn't be shocked if we lost tomorrow's game. The Jazz will be extra pumped, the crowd will be completely wild as usual (in a positive way of course) and they have their backs against the wall. Go down 3-0 and it's pretty much a wrap; on the other hand cut the lead to 2-1 with a convincing win and it's a series again. Man, I have a terrible feeling about this game... I know the Lakers won there without Gasol and all, but this will be entirely different, imo.

Well, either way, here's hoping for a great, injury-free game and for the Lakers being up 3-0 . Good luck to both teams. I wish the game would be discussed in a more civil fashion, but I doubt it, so I'll probably just stick to the Laker board during the game.

cheers

[bleu]

The Lakers (somewhat) fairly beat us in games 1 and 2, like I thought they would, but I really, really don't think that the Lakers win tonight. Even if they win game four in Utah, I really don't see them winning tonight.

[Texas Longhorns]

The Lakers (somewhat) fairly beat us in games 1 and 2, like I thought they would, but I really, really don't think that the Lakers win tonight. Even if they win game four in Utah, I really don't see them winning tonight.

Game 3 is on Friday.

[Hard2dhole]

-= original quote snipped =-

Game 3 is on Friday.

Cut Vainsake some slack he isn't gonna sleep until the game is over so for him it's all going to be one long *** day.

[hermes]

lakers need to keep up the defensive pressure, now that the series has moved to utah, can't let them back into the series

[Chubby Chaser]

Lakers have the best road record in the west, second in the NBA. They play more focused on the road and in hostile environments. I expect them to play smash mouth tomorrow like we did in game 3 in Denver and really knock the Jazz off their feet and leave a bad taste in their mouths.

[carrottop12]

Jazz will win games three and four at home, they have been in both of these games in LA despite playing terribly. Tomorrow they will win, then win on Sunday and we will have a tied series.

[bleu]

-= original quote snipped =-



Game 3 is on Friday.

What I meant to say was tomorrows tonight

[Deuce33]

Jazz will win games three and four at home, they have been in both of these games in LA despite playing terribly. Tomorrow they will win, then win on Sunday and we will have a tied series.

The bad thing about that is WE PLAY BETTER ON THE ROAD. We get too relaxed at home and make many more mistakes whereas on the road we actually value every possession. All these Jazz fans acting like we don't have a chance of winning in Utah will be very surprised. Let me say it again... WE PLAY BETTER ON THE ROAD as do the Jazz play better at home, it's why it'll be very interesting. The nuggets where 33-8 at home and we embarrassed them on their court, don't think the same can't happen to you considering the Rockets just beat you on your court as well.

[bleu]

-= original quote snipped =-



The bad thing about that is WE PLAY BETTER ON THE ROAD. We get too relaxed at home and make many more mistakes whereas on the road we actually value every possession. All these Jazz fans acting like we don't have a chance of winning in Utah will be very surprised. Let me say it again... WE PLAY BETTER ON THE ROAD as do the Jazz play better at home, it's why it'll be very interesting. The nuggets where 33-8 at home and we embarrassed them on their court, don't think the same can't happen to you considering the Rockets just beat you on your court as well.

You do not. There's not a single team in the league that plays better on the road than at home, especially when they're playing in the ESA.

[JordansBulls]

Jazz gotta take games 3 and 4 to even have a chance.

[Deuce33]

-= original quote snipped =-



You do not. There's not a single team in the league that plays better on the road than at home, especially when they're playing in the ESA.

Just because our record doesn't indicate that doesn't mean it isn't true. We actually do play better and more focused on the road. And didn't we just beat the sh*t out of your team on the road not too long ago?

[bleu]

Series could still easily go either way still, but the Jazz got to win the next couple.

[Chubby Chaser]

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.