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Lakers Jazz game three preview

The Lakers head to Utah with a 2-0 lead in their best of seven series. So far the Lakers are undefeated in the play-offs, and are playing with that swagger that borders on over confidence. Other then a decided rebounding edge, Utah didn’t play their best ball in LA and are looking to get it back at home. Home is where they are 37-4, so the Lakers have their work cut out for them.

The Lakers should anticipate less free throws to take, and that Utah will probably start hitting from the outside. I also have a feeling that Carlos Boozer is not going to pick up two fouls in the first quarter. Under such circumstances, everyone is taking the Jazz in game three. Vegas has them as a four point favorite across the board, and here are the feelings from Sin City.

Utah has come up big in game threes in the past, when they were down 0-2. The started off 0-2 against Houston last year, before starting their resurgence with a big 81-67 win in game three. Also, against San Antonio in the Western Conference finals, they won handily 109-83 in game three. Utah has dominated the boards against the Lakers 99-78 in the series. Lastly, Carlos Boozer is expected to bounce back big after a ten point performance in game two.

I would agree that Utah has a good chance of winning, so if I were Phil Jackson, I would try something a little different for the Jazz. In games one and two, the Lakers consistently took the ball to the hoop and lived at the free throw line. That’s not going to happen in Utah for a few reasons. Number one, Jerry Sloan is one of the best defensive coaches ever. He is going to tweak the defense to take away the drive. It could be a double team, a zone, I don’t know, but suffice to say that he will do something. Also, the Lakers will not get the whistles in Utah that they got in LA.

These variables lead me to believe that the sneak attack for the Lakers is a three point barrage in the first half. The Lakers took only ten three point shots in a game one and eleven in game two. Its doubtful Utah would expect it. The Lakers have three players that shot over 40% from the three point line (Radmanovic, Fisher and Vujacic). If you think Kobe is a good three point shooter, think again, he’s fifth on the team. This will frustrate the Jazz and also give the Lakers the opportunity for long rebounds. As the Jazz get inside position for the rebounds, the Lakers can box them in, and grab the long caroms.

In the second half, you go back to the strategy in games one and two, hopefully with a cushion. Utah, will be preparing to stop the long distance shooting, and will again be frustrated. This could also make the game a high scoring affair, and I believe that favors the Lakers.

The key to the game will be the start. The Lakers must take the heart out of this team, much like they did with Denver. The last time the Lakers played here (Utah) they got off to a twenty point lead in the first quarter and cruised to a 106-95 victory. If you’re wondering they shot 22 threes and made 10.

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