Ok....as predicted, the Jazz beat the Lakers in game three. Admittedly, the Lakers looked bad, and deserved to lose. But here are a few reasons why the Lakers are going to win game four, and clinch the series in LA on Monday night:
--Kobe Bryant made just 5 of 24 shots. That's not happening again.
--Andrew Bynum had five fouls in seven minutes. That's not happening again.
--Carlos Boozer had 23 points and a career-high 22 rebounds. If Bynum is in the game, there is no way he does that again. And get this: even with that career game, the Lakers actually outscored the Jazz by two when Boozer was in the game.
On top of all of that, the Lakers shot 36% from the field and missed ten free throws. As I indicated earlier, this tends to happen in the first game of a playoff series in Utah. Guys who haven't experienced the noise, and the refs, and the increased physical play just aren't ready for it. On Saturday, playerslike Bynum, Shannon Brown and Trevor Ariza will be more prepared because now they've gone through it.
One final note: read all of the above numbers again, and think about the fact that the Lakers almost won the game anyway. Had Derek Fisher forced Deron Williams left towards Pau Gasol on the game winning shot, the game probably goes overtime.
My original prediction stands: Lakers win game four Saturday, and clinch the series Monday at Staples.
Well before you hurt yourself patting yourself on the back ,Ireland , You also tried to say, a gazzillion times on radio and tv, that Kobe laughs at adversity,plays and focus's better and even relish's being boo'ed by the opposing crowd!......interesting , he was 5-24 .....makes you wonder what he would have been had the crowd been able to get to him , 2-50!!!.......lol
Posted by: streetlife | 04/24/2009 at 02:39 PM
Hey John,
I did enjoy game 3 even though the lakers lost. It was a much entertaining game.. i am a sucker for close games anyways.. can Detroit win one game?
Posted by: Mohammed | 04/25/2009 at 07:39 PM