Location: Salt Lake City, UT | Arena: Energy Solutions Arena (19,911) | Main Owner: Larry H. Miller Basketball Operations SR. VP: Kevin O'Connor | Head Coach: Jerry Sloan | Titles: 0
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For the first time in weeks, Carlos Boozer felt like himself after Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals. There were no more questions about his playoff slump, not after the Jazz's All-Star forward broke through with 27 points and 20 rebounds.
The Jazz can only hope Boozer will be able to build on things when they try to even their series against the Lakers on Sunday. It will be the Jazz's first Sunday home game in more than seven years, owing to the area's religious leanings.
Boozer had gone 16 games without topping his season scoring average of 21.1 points before Friday. If it wasn't one thing, it was another in these playoffs as Boozer struggled with foul trouble, missed free throws and turnovers.
Unlike Game 2 against the Lakers, when he played just seven minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, Boozer played 21 minutes Friday and was able to get in rhythm. He wound up scoring 11 of the Jazz's 25 points in the fourth quarter.
Boozer even outscored Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom 27-25 by himself in the game. Gasol had 12 points but five turnovers, while Odom finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds but took only three shots all game.
JAZZ 104, LAKERS 99: The Jazz built a 13-point lead in the second quarter Friday and were able to hold off the Lakers in the second half to win Game 3. The Lakers did take advantage of three Jazz turnovers starting with 4:08 left to close to 95-92 in a matter of 46 seconds.
But the Jazz came out of a timeout and went to Boozer on three consecutive possessions off the pick-and-roll with Deron Williams. Boozer hit a hook shot in the lane, beat the shot clock with a jumper and hit a 15-footer to put the Jazz back up by nine.
The Lakers watched as Kobe Bryant slipped on a drive to commit a turnover and missed a three-pointer while the Jazz made their push. Bryant finished with 34 points for the night, including 26 in the second half, but the Lakers committed 18 turnovers.
"It just gives us a lot of confidence," Williams said. "We got that first one. Now we know we can beat this team. We felt all along we could beat this team, but now we know. We've just got to put together another solid victory next game."
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Yes some of those "home-court" calls were brutal, particularly in the third quarter when we were trying to make our run, but we had our chances, and just couldn't hit the big shots at the end yet again. Each game on the road has really been just a matter of hitting out shots down the stretch, whcih we have failed to do.
Your team's problem is that you have no defensive presence up front. Boozer and Okur are both sub-par defenders. I think the Lakers have exploited that weakness this series, and I don't see how you guys could win a Championship until that is fixed.
"We never really felt threatened. "
"In game 3 there are no expectations, no pressure."
"They have to catch up and beat us twice as many games as they have in 2 years."
I for one am glad he is getting boo'd. He is a liar, he didn't like playing in Utah so he left. Way to use your daughter as your best poker chip you bum.
Fellow Jazz fans: Do you think our team threw off their much talked about road woes by taking the first 2 in Houston, or do you think it will come back to haunt us in the second round?
I think it's WWF, the fake, dressed up, juiced up wrestlers, entertaining all those folks with thick souther accents. That is what the playoffs look like to me. Collins (TNT) keeps a running account of the calls, and the total foul shots for both teams. Making sure the public," that has complained" about the disparity, knows how close it's being called. Then when the
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Been in Mexico for a week but read the comments. Gotta take it when it's deserved. DO you know how hard it is to find a bar that has the game on in Cabo ? I actually thought when LA sent it to OT that we were looking at 3-1, but your boys proved better and props to them. Tonights game I feel goes either way. Good luck. (does anyone feel that Turiaf tried to hurt Price ?)
Big night of first.
Kobe's first MVP, Jazz's first game 2 loss to LA
LA's first 2-0 over the jazz
Just an all around azzwhoopin. Also, those last 3 3's by DERROIN (Whatever his name is) made it closer then it looked. 9 points in the last 1 1/2 minutes and you still lost by 10. Don't get the hop
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You've earned it. I don't think Lakers can beat you with a hurt Kobe. Our time has come. I think your team can do it vs Hornets or Spurs.
Represent the West for
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