LAL Lakers at UTH Jazz (May 11, 2008)
2008-05-11 07:01:00
PA SPORTSTICKER NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW
(LA LAKERS-UTAH)
*Boozer, Jazz aim to even series at 2-2 vs. Lakers*
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LA Lakers at Utah 3:30 pm EDT
Western Conference semifinals Lakers lead, 2-1
SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Carlos Boozer finally awoke for the
Utah Jazz. He will hope to hear the bell again on Sunday.
Boozer and the fifth-seeded Jazz will look to even up their
Western Conference semifinals series against the Los Angeles
Lakers when they meet in Game Four.
After several sub-par performances in the playoffs, Boozer
broke out of his funk with 27 points and 20 rebounds as the Jazz
posted a 104-99 victory on Friday.
"I tried to stop thinking so much out there," Boozer said. "My
teammates were waiting for a big game out of me and I was too. I
had to play thought-free and just react and play."
"I think (Boozer) finally got over that hump," Utah guard Deron
Williams said. "That's big. That's what we're going to need. It
just takes so much pressure off everybody else when he's
playing like that."
Boozer's performance alone was better then Los Angeles' 1-2
punch of Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol.
"This team is good enough for us to lose to and we have to
understand that and play our best game at all times," said Odom,
who had 13 points and 12 boards. "We could have lost to anyone
playing like that."
Lakers coach Phil Jackson was critical of Gasol's play, as the
Spaniard managed just 12 points and six rebounds. He also
committed five of the Lakers' 18 turnovers.
"It's about (Gasol) understanding what's happening, picking the
ball up and hitting the open guy," Jackson said. "They're
leaving guys wide open."
Utah posted the best record in the league at home with a 37-4
mark, and Friday's win made it 4-1 in the postseason here.
Reigning MVP Kobe Bryant once again carried the load for the
Lakers with 34 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
"We clawed back but you can't turn the ball over so many times,"
Bryant said. "We had a lot of open looks and you can sustain a
game like that if you don't turn the ball over."
Despite absorbing their first loss of the postseason, the Lakers
are 35-1 after taking the first two of a best-of-seven series.
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