Lakers-Jazz

Game Four should serve as a wake-up call to the Lakers: even if Boozer and Okur have mediocre games, Williams and the Jazz bench can still beat you. For example:

- Kirelenko is good for 20 points if you let him drive; he also plays shut-down defense
- Harpring can score if you let him take perimeter shots; he also plays nasty defense
- Korver is a sharp-shooter who will bury the three if unguarded; he's also clutch at the line

That said, the Lakers are by far a more athletic and talented team than the Jazz. So what happened yesterday? How did this Jazz team beat them twice in a row?

1. Utah's home court advantage is ridiculous. They've won over 40 games at home this year and despite the Mormon Day of Rest, their arena was still sold out and LOUD. In fact, the noise was deafening.

2. Williams has been on fire, shooting over 50% both games they've won. His point guard play has been incredible, too, despite his terrible haircut.

3. Kobe's teamates decided not to show up for the past two games. Fisher has been in foul trouble, all Gasol can do is whine, Radmonivic has been hot and cold, and Odom hasn't been rebounding very well. To be fair, however, Odom played very well last night and I think they'll win the series if he continues to play this well.

4. Kobe has been injured and I think it's preventing him from throwing down a 50 point game. Amazingly he's averaged over 30 points a game (with six assists and rebounds), but I think if he was healthy, he could drop 50-60 points on this Jazz team and just blow them out.