Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers Recap

I didn't have time to write up a full recap of the game tonight, so instead I just copy and pasted a recap I wrote back in 2008.

The Lakers got out to a quick start tonight in game two of the Western Conference Semifinals and held off a late run by the Jazz to take a 2-0 lead in the best of seven series, winning this game 120-110.  Kobe Bryant finished with 34 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.  Deron Williams led the Jazz with 25 points and 10 assists..

The Jazz were doomed almost from the start with a poor opening quarter.   By the time the first buzzer sounded, the Jazz saw themselves at the wrong end of a 15 point deficit.  An improved offense and better play from Deron Williams helped the Jazz stay within 12 points at halftime, but the Jazz were no match for the Lakers' size in the paint and couldn't stop the Lakers defensively all night.

The Jazz were no match for the Lakers big men  as Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom combined for 39 points and 21 rebounds on 13-19 shooting from the field.  The Jazz chose to counteract the Lakers' size by playing Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur together, although the Jazz frontcourt only combined for 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Paul Millsap showed some fight off the bench putting in 17 points and 10 rebounds in only 25 minutes, but it wasn't enough.  With the Lakers packing the paint down low, the Jazz were unable to make them pay with an outside attack, shooting only 8 of 22 from beyond the arc.

The Jazz find themselves in a big hole, but will have a chance to regroup in game 3 at home after the weekend.

And just for good measure:

And for those of you who are into this type of thing: