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Two post Lakers game articles from 1320 KFAN

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This was the most impressive performance by the Jazz this season. 1 bucket here or there can’t change your opinion on how they played. The Jazz battled all night. They stayed with the Lakers. The Lakers are a team that makes runs and the Jazz never allowed the Lakers to get any run during the game. Neither team lead by more than 6. The Jazz went toe to toe with the Lakers for 53 minutes. This was a big time battle. This shows the Jazz are a ton farther along than many of us expected at this point

· The Jazz offense really struggled and they stayed in the game. That might be the most important thing about this game. The Jazz shot 50% in the first quarter and then in the next three quarters they shot 21 of 62. Despite that they stayed in the game. That a huge change of who this team is. Last year in the final 42 games they allowed 105 pts a game. No way they could have ever stayed in a game like this.

· Raja Bell was fantastic on Kobe tonight. Kobe shot just 7 of 17 when guarded by Raja. Kobe put 40 on the board in back to back nights I don’t believe anyone in NBA history has done this at this point in his career.

· Raja said after the game it was a battle of wills, guys just grinded it out – That is not a game the Jazz could have stayed apart of last year. This is huge progress.

· Millsap was terrific tonight – 29 pts and 9 rebs. He was the offensive answer going after Pau Gasol.

· Jefferson really struggled again with the length of Bynum and Gasol – He went 5 of 17 making him 7 of 33 in the two games against the Lakers.

· Kobe gave huge praise to the Jazz fans after the game

· This game followed every script by which the Jazz should have gotten blown out. The game was tough, Jefferson couldn’t get going, and Kobe went nuts.

· Hayward outside shot is not with him right now – he finishes 1 for 7.

· Devin Harris is 7 for his last 30. Talking with coaches and scouts they are very impressed the effort Harris is making to run the team correctly and get the team into the correct plays and execute. He needs to find his offense inside that.

· A few too many offensive rebound put backs. A Gasol three, and a bunch of other plays that will fly back at Jazz fans for this evening . One play here or there and the Jazz have a tremendous win.

· If the Jazz play like this the rest of the year it will be a lot more successful year than was anticipated.

· Have I mentioned Paul Millsap is a stud

· One play I thought could have swung the game was Jazz holding off the Lakers run and down 4 CJ Miles got a wide open three that would have quelled the entire run but it rimmed and became a fast break the other way and the game swung 5 points toward the Lakers.

· Kobe returned at 59-55.

· Josh Howard played another very good offensive game. He hit two huge threes. He is the one player on the team who can beat someone one on one. He did shot just 6 of 14 but he is very valuable to this team

· Favors and Kanter played limited minute tonight – Millsap had to be on the floor. And as long as Gasol was playing 46 minutes and Bynum was playing 40 it is hard to get the youngsters in against those guys. Jefferson at least kept Bynum involved on him defensively.

· Phil Johnson was very complimentary after the game in the decision Corbin and his staff made about when to double and when to play Kobe straight up

· That was Pau Gasol's 20th 3 of his NBA career in 89 attmepts. (22.4%) Hits the dagger tonight.

· Great atmosphere. See you at the arena on Saturday
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When a Loss is a Win But Isn't -
I know it doesn't make a lot of sense, yet it makes perfect sense. If we are all honest with our selves at no time did we expect to see a Utah Jazz team do what we've seen them do in the last 6 games. A 5 game win streak, and a 3 point loss at home in OT against the Lakers. As a fan, you take it. It doesn't have to feel good, but you take the improvement and the effort and enjoy it.
Al Jefferson told me this morning that the one thing the +Utah Jazz wanted to do is to be able to walk of the floor (win or lose) able to hold their heads high. No doubt this team was able to do that tonight. The loss still hurts, but the team can be proud of the effort put in to the game. They left it out there.

They Have to Play Us Too -
All morning long and into the pre game the talk surrounding this game was how the Jazz big men would over come the Laker twin towers (Bynum & Gasol). Some where in there, Al Jefferson pointed out to me that the Lakers bigs would also have to deal with himself and Paul Milsap. And did they!
The best way I could sum up tonight's game is; Kobe is Kobe, and the our big men out played their big men, but their big men made one more play than ours. Pick your play, the Gasol 3 or the Bynum block, if they don't make one or either of those the Jazz win.
Jefferson struggled offensively, but battled on the boards with 11 and had 3 blocks. Milsap was fantastic with 29 and 9. They out played Gasol (14 and 11), & Bynum (12 & 8).
Lakers' Head Coach Mike Brown spoke glowingly of Paul Millsap after the game saying, "He's probably a athletic 2 guard in a 4 mans body."
It's been a long time since you could say the Jazz out scored the Lakers in the paint (40-38) and equaled the Laker rebounding total of 46.

Kobe is Kobe -
Love him or as most Jazz fans do hate him, Kobe Bryant is still the best player in the game. You can argue Rose, LBJ, Wade, Durrant or whomever, but my money is still on Kobe. Sure he's a little older, and not as dominant, but no player in this league has the drive, determination, fire, or competitiveness of Kobe Bryant.

Raja Turns Back the Clock -
I've defended Raja Bell being in the starting line up all season long. I've taken heat for it all season long. Many of you have been quick to point out that he can't hit the broadside of a barn and he is struggling. Some in the media have suggested the need for a meeting with the coach. I take this opportunity to say that you were wrong and tonight is why.
Raja Bell set the tone on the night when Kobe elbowed him and Raja returned fire and got T'd up. From that point on, you knew it was going to be a battle.
Not only did Raja set the tone, but he backed it up. One fan took the opportunity to point out to me tonight that Kobe dropped 40 on Raja tonight. (Please don't be that guy. Some of you have done his all season long. Like Raja was on Kobe for every point, and even when he was it was all his fault. You as Jazz fans need to be better than that.) Bottom line is Kobe was 7 for 17 when Bell was guarding him. That's 41%. That's pretty bleeping good defense by Raja.
Besides, it's always entertaining to watch those two go back and forth.
(And yes that above paragraph was filled with P&V.)

See you Saturday!
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-Realizing that this loss wasn't as bad as I initially thought. Gasol shot 5/14, Bynum shot 5/13. Both scored much less than their season averages, on a PPG basis AND on a percentage basis. Al shot 5/17 in comparison, which is worse, but not by much; especially seeing as Bynum and Gasol are touted for their high efficiency. If it weren't for Bynums block, and Gasol's three, our frontcourt would have beaten theirs this game, no question.
- Kobe shot 14/31
- Had Harris or Hayward hit any shot with consistency as opposed to going 1-7, we would have won this game.

Beginning to realize that our frontcourt really isn't the problem; its the offense of our guards. All of our PGs and SGs of our roster (Miles, Burks, Hayward, Watson, Harris) combined for only 22 points, and shot 8/32, aka 25 PERCENT. This is absolutely pathetic.
 
Jazz were right there the whole game. But again it was based off the vets and not the newer guys. Great game and a tough loss but I think it was a missed opportunity to get the new guys some much needed experience in a tough game.
 
I guess you can say Corbin pulled Kanter and Favors a little early in the 4th. I'm sure he just panicked because The Jazz weren't generating any offense and Kobe was coming back into the game.


Otherwise, there really isn't much to analyze from last night. The most prolific scorer in the history of the NBA (arguably) was in a zone last night. He hit about a half dozen shots that were simply out of this world. When that happens there is nothing you can do about it. Jazz played well - most nights that effort at home is going to give them a win. Just move forward.
 
I guess we can thank Bell for getting a stupid tech in the first. (that would've avoided OT and given us the win)
I guess we can thank Chucker for missing his technical free throw. (that would've avoided OT and given us the win)


Yes, these are stupid points that really aren't true, but seriously, I hate Chucker and Raja.
 
Gojazz79 said:
Jazz were right there the whole game. But again it was based off the vets and not the newer guys. Great game and a tough loss but I think it was a missed opportunity to get the new guys some much needed experience in a tough game.
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I actually believe that if Favors is in the game instead of Jefferson the Jazz win in regulation. Jefferson started forcing things and I started to see the black hole appear again.
 
I thought Kanter and Favors playing scrub minutes while Al chucked and chucked was a massive and obvious mistake. Otherwise, I can't complain. The D was terrific and the game was fun.
 
orangello said:
I actually believe that if Favors is in the game instead of Jefferson the Jazz win in regulation. Jefferson started forcing things and I started to see the black hole appear again.
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But dude, he had 3 assists against the Cavs.
 
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