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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