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Utah 123 LA Lakers 115 (OT): This was a great game to watch as the Lakers were down 12 with a little more than 3 minutes left only to force OT. However, Utah was able to pull away in OT to win the game and even up the series. I still believe that Utah is going to have to win 4 straight games to win this series because I don't believe they will win a Game 7 in LA.
One of the main factors in this game was the bench of Utah outplaying the Lakers bench. Utah's bench scored 39 points in this game while the Lakers bench managed to score only 16 points. Once again we are seeing an example of the role players playing good at home but not so good on the road.
As far as Utah's starters go, Deron Williams was the man in this game pouring in a team high 29 points and dishing out 14 assists. Mehmet Okur, Carlos Boozer, and Andrei Kirilenko also had strong games for the Jazz. Kirilenko was a pefect 4 of 4 from the floor scoring 15 points and had 5 blocks. Okur finished with 18 points, 11 boards, and 5 assists, while Boozer chipped in with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant was slowed down some by a back injury. He was visibly in pain at points throughout the game but still managed to score 33 points despite shooting only 13 of 33 from the floor, including 1 of 10 from three. He also added 10 assists and 8 rebounds. Kobe's back injury is definitely something to keep an eye on the rest of this series. I don't think he will miss any games but it could make him that much less effective and could help the Jazz steal a game in LA.
Lamar Odom came up big in this game for the Lakers. He hit a big three down the stretch and hit the game tying layup off an inbounds play late in the game. Odom finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Pao Gasol also had a big game and he finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists.
LA's free throw shooting also hurt them in this game, mostly Kobe and Odom who combined to shoot only 1o of 21 from the free throw line.
One of the main factors in this game was the bench of Utah outplaying the Lakers bench. Utah's bench scored 39 points in this game while the Lakers bench managed to score only 16 points. Once again we are seeing an example of the role players playing good at home but not so good on the road.
As far as Utah's starters go, Deron Williams was the man in this game pouring in a team high 29 points and dishing out 14 assists. Mehmet Okur, Carlos Boozer, and Andrei Kirilenko also had strong games for the Jazz. Kirilenko was a pefect 4 of 4 from the floor scoring 15 points and had 5 blocks. Okur finished with 18 points, 11 boards, and 5 assists, while Boozer chipped in with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant was slowed down some by a back injury. He was visibly in pain at points throughout the game but still managed to score 33 points despite shooting only 13 of 33 from the floor, including 1 of 10 from three. He also added 10 assists and 8 rebounds. Kobe's back injury is definitely something to keep an eye on the rest of this series. I don't think he will miss any games but it could make him that much less effective and could help the Jazz steal a game in LA.
Lamar Odom came up big in this game for the Lakers. He hit a big three down the stretch and hit the game tying layup off an inbounds play late in the game. Odom finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Pao Gasol also had a big game and he finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists.
LA's free throw shooting also hurt them in this game, mostly Kobe and Odom who combined to shoot only 1o of 21 from the free throw line.
San Antonio 100 New Orleans 80: The momentum in this series has really shifted back to San Antonio as for the second straight game they continued to look like the team that had more energy. After the first two games, it looked as though the champs were too old to keep up with New Orleans but they really picked it up in Game 3 & 4. If any team is able to come back from a 2-0 deficit it is definitely San Antonio, who will be looking to steal a game in New Orleans in Game 5.
While the offense for the Spurs played great in this game, it was really the defense that won the game for the Spurs. Other than Chris Paul, who had 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, nobody on the Hornets played particularly well. They were able to limit David West to 10 points on 4 of 15 shooting and also hold Peja in check for the second straight game as he only had 6 points on 3 of 9 shooting.
Offensively for the Spurs, I felt that Tim Duncan would have a monster game in Game 4 and he did not disappoint. Duncan shot 10 of 13 from the floor and finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds in only 35 minutes of play. He also added 4 blocks on the defensive end.
Tony Parker had another strong game in this one as he was able to get to the rim and get open jump shots pretty much the whole time he was in there. Parker finished with 21 points on 8 of 12 shooting and also added 8 assists and 6 rebounds. Parker and Duncan were also helped out by the San Antonio bench which scored 31 points in the game. Michael Finley and Ime Udoka led the way for the bench, with Finley scoring 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting and Udoka had 15 points on 5 of 8 shooting.
I really feel that the momentum in this series has shifted to the Spurs and I think they have found a way to control the rest of the team around Chris Paul. I would not be surprised to see them go out and win Game 5, which would set them up to close out the series at home in Game 6. If they don't win Game 5, then they would have to win Game 6 at home and then try to win Game 7 in New Orleans. I think San Antonio would have a better chance winning in New Orleans in a Game 7 than Utah would trying to win a Game 7 in LA.
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