Ok we are up 3-2 and tonite we play in salt lake city. Hopefully we can advance to the WCF afta tonite.

Go Lakers

OK boys, this is it another close out-opportunity and we are playing .500 ball on the road this post season.  As well we are 1-0 in close out games and I am looking forward to seeing that killer instinct come out in the Laker's tonight. 

I know it wont be easy because the Jazz will no doubt raise their intensity to a new level, all we need to do is match their level early on and we may just break them.  

You all are pointing out the obvious in keeping our starters out of foul trouble as a key to the game but beyond that we need to come out strong from the get and destroy their hopes for a Game 7 early.  Stay away from looking for the questinable steals but play sound defense and let the game come to us, this will keep our starters in and give us the best chance for a great start. 

The pressure is on the Jazz and we need to keep it there all game to make them start to doubt themselves and by games end, we will be waiting for the WFC to start for us, not a Game 7.

Lakers..........108

Jazz.................99

We need to play better Defense in Utah and get the crowd out of it early.  Need to establish that inside outside game with Kobe, Gasol, and Odom.  I liked the line-up with Kobe playing the SF and Lamar at PF with Gasol, Fisher and the Machine at the Guards.  Puts Kobe on Kerilinko which he should dominate that match up each time and I don't think Boozer can handle Lamar...  So we will see tonight...  GO Lakers!!

"The key is Fish staying out of foul trouble..."  There are too many keys to single out one; Bench play, Kobe's back, Rebounding, Gasol, etc.....

This is it exactly!
1. Fisher - yes, it's important for him to get it going early and stay out of foul trouble.  that said, I still look for Farmar play an important role in this game...as much as I like this Deron Williams kid, there's something about him - that sneer I've been seeing lately - that really pisses me off!  If William gets off early, I would really love to see Farmar step up and relish the challenge of taking him on.
2. Bench Play - absolutely!  if the Laker bench can match the Jazz' bench's production and energy, which really shouldn't be a stretch if you look at the matchups, we'll be in really good shape.
3. Kobe's back - let's just hope he's anywhere in the 75%-90% range...and Sman is absolutely, spot on, right about Kobe's "rest" - you don't want the back tightening up unnecessarily just to give Kobe his usual break...I say keep him out there as long as humanly possible, not necessarily play at balls-to-the-wall pace, just enough to stay with the flow and help allow your teammates to get the most out of their games.
4. Rebounding - God, let's hope so...Gasol needs to be mindful of the defensive boards more and Vlade, Luke & Ronny all have to pull down their fair share...Lamar, have a great, great game tonight - remember, you're the best forward out on that floor in the game...play like it.
5.  Gasol - Pau, enough with the Charles Smith imitation already - try to stay on your friggin' feat, will you?  Seriously, Pau needs to be sensational tonight - this is a statement opportunity for him and he needs to seize the moment while also keeping up the great passing out of the post.

The Lakers can do this.  VitaMike touched on it too - THIS IS A CLOSE-OUT OPPORTUNITY...ON THE ROAD!  How sweet it would be to go 2-0 in those opportunities?!?!  Talk about a great way to get ready for the Western Conference Finals!

Vitamike

I'm not trying to talk trash just stating facts.  Sorry but its not going to happen in SLC.  Reverse those scores and you probably got it right maybe a point or two more for the Lakers.  There win be a game 7.  LA is not good enough yet to win in Utah.  They're just not a dominate enough team to do it.  There is just to much parity amoung the top 5-6 teams in the west.  Thats why you are seeing that homecourt means so much for the teams left in the playoffs.  I still think LA wins the series but that will be in a close game back in LA. 

See you guys on Monday have a good weekend!!!!

Ok here it is...

3.)  Bench-  We need vujacic, farmar, and turiaf to have decent games.  Farmar...I don't expect to much, but if he gets 5 points and some assists... that will help... the reason we need at least three guys to step up is so Kobe can rest a lot.  I know this being a game that could launch us into the finals..he is going to try and do to much.  When he is benched and the bench comes on, they need to be on the +5 side with kobe sitting.

2.) Gasol/Odom vs Boozer/Okur-  We have to win this battle.  If we win the rebound battle...we win the game...no doubt.  Odom and Gasol have to combine for 35 pts or more and at least 25 boards. 

1.) Linko-  He must be stopped.  I know D will is a problem, but fish will handle it.  so Linko will make a diff and we need to stop him.  under ten points and less than 2 blocks.  we win