(1) Lakers Vs. (5) Jazz [2010 edition]

[Lamrock]

With the Lakers' thrilling victory, and Nuggets complete and utter self-destruction sees another 2008 conference semifinals rematch. Once again, its the #1 Lakers taking on the #5 Jazz. Even sans Okur (and maybe AK for first couple of games), the Jazz are a great team and should give the Lake Show a run for their money. However, their lack of success against them leads me to believe they can't beat them at Staples.

Los Angeles in 7.

[Andrew]

I may be underrating the Jazz here, but I'm picking the Lakers in five. Utah remains such a tough place to win at that I don't think Los Angeles gets the sweep, but I think they'll finish off a depleted Jazz team quicker than they did an upstart (but healthy) young Thunder team.

[jonthefon]

Fuck it, go Jizz!

Only problem is I don't see Utah being able to close out games against the Lakers, even at home.

[dare]

Well after a hard series against OKC, I'm hoping Lakers will play a lot better so I will pick Lakers in 5.
If Lamar Odom gets the job than then maybe Lakers will have an easy series.

[NovU]

I may be underrating the Jazz here, but I'm picking the Lakers in five. Utah remains such a tough place to win at that I don't think Los Angeles gets the sweep, but I think they'll finish off a depleted Jazz team quicker than they did an upstart (but healthy) young Thunder team.

+1

Jazz are undermanned. No real chance here for them.

[atlwarrior]

Unforunately for us who are not Laker fans, that series with the Thunder would probably turn out to be their toughest series in the west. I chose the Jazz in 7 hoping they would do something but to be honest besides the Spurs there is no other team in the West capable of beating them in a series IMO.

edit: I really hope Deron Williams injury was not that severe.

[Sauru]

i voted lakers in 5. cant see the jazz really stopping them down the stretch

[Jackal]

My gut feeling was Lakers in 5, but I'll play it safe and say Lakers in 6. I'm just too happy they didn't have to play the Nuggets, don't know what the fuck is up with those guys but they usually push LA to a brink.

[Rip32]

I really like the Jazz, especially this team, but for some reason they just have a mental block when it comes to playing the Lakers. Deron Williams does a pretty good job distributing vs. them, but he struggles shooting and when he struggles the Jazz as a whole do.

They need another outside scorer. AK47 is a good player, but he's not a really dangerous outside option and I don't know that Wes Matthews will ever be a dynamic scorer (although he was at Marquette). I hope they get the #2 pick so they can draft Evan Turner, that would finally give Williams a legit back-court mate.

I would say the Lakers' size should be the advantage in this series, but everyone said that against the Thunder and they didn't utilize it for 3 games.

Lakers in 6

[Andrew]

Perhaps a small break for the Jazz: Lakers’ center Bynum has small meniscus tear

Lakers center Andrew Bynum has a small tear in the meniscus in his right knee, leaving him questionable for Los Angeles’ second-round playoff opener against the Utah Jazz.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Bynum might try to play through the pain in Sunday’s opener at Staples Center.

Bynum hyperextended his knee in the first half of the Lakers’ series-clinching win over Oklahoma City on Friday night, but played the second half wearing a brace. An MRI exam on Saturday revealed the tiny tear, which apparently was aggravated by his injury.

Even if he does miss a game or two or plays limited minutes though, it doesn't exactly swing the series in Utah's favour.

[Jackal]

Every time I see Bynum go in for a dunk or a rebound I'm so afraid it will be the last one we'll see for a while. He's quite prone to minor injuries here and there. Quite a shame actually, he's a treat to watch.

I'm expecting Odom to have his way vs the Jazz.

[dare]

Well it's not that bad although Bynum's presence inside will be miss but it will give a chance for Odom to get to his rhythm. Odom is a mismatch for Boozer and it will surely give a lot of problems for Utah

[Murat]

Same story. Lakers will do it AGAIN.
EDIT: Easier, because last year Jazz has got 1-2 injuries, but this season: No Okur, no Kirilenko, just Koufos.

[dare]

Lakers take game 1 but I think they are taking the Jazz too lightly. The bench needs to contribute more so that the starters get some rest. I think they can have a dominating win if they play with a high level, Kobe can easily score in the Jazz defense.

[atlwarrior]

No its just that the Lakers arent as good as they were last yr and the Jazz have gotten slightly better.

[Andrew]

Didn't catch the game but sounds like a dismal finish for the Jazz as the Lakers went on that run. Still, it seems like the Jazz have more fight in them then I had anticipated given their depleted lineup but it's tough to see them winning in LA, which needless to say they have to do at least once if they are to win the series.

[dare]

I woke up 5:30 am here in the Philippines and just catch the 4th quarter, Lakers are up 7 then the Jazz went on a 8-0 run I think. Price was doing it all in that run, Miles also had his moments after he fall down hard. The Jazz led by 4 late then Kobe decided to take over.

[Jackal]

No its just that the Lakers arent as good as they were last yr and the Jazz have gotten slightly better.

Offensively the Lakers aren't as good as they were last year, but defensively I'd say they're pretty good. The bench is somewhat weak, no doubt. But to say the Jazz are slightly better than last year is absurd. They aren't. Especially not with Okur/AK47 out of the lineup.

The score was a lot closer than it should've been and it's not because the Jazz played a whole lot better, its because LA got complacent. This is a much easier series for LA than vs OKC. The Jazz just don't match up well with LA. LA's length bothers them and they don't defend the big men well at all. Not to mention Boozer seems to get irritated by Gasol/Odom.

As I said, this is a much easier series for LA, I wouldn't be surprised if they took it in 5. I'm just too glad they didn't have to face the Nuggets, they just go off on LA.

[Drex]

Not to mention Boozer seems to get irritated by Gasol/Odom.

Everyone gets irritated by Gasol and Odom. And don't get me started on Vujacic.

[Jackal]

Shutup Simba.

[rise]

Lakers in 7
If only the Thunder had beat them...

[benji]

Offensively the Lakers aren't as good as they were last year, but defensively I'd say they're pretty good.

3rd -> 11th
6th -> 4th

I'd say you're right.

[Jackal]

If the Jazz had Okur and AK47 it would be more of a series. It's like Boozer is afraid of being in the paint.

[Rip32]

If the Jazz had Okur and AK47 it would be more of a series. It's like Boozer is afraid of being in the paint.

Agreed, Millsap has been a man down-low though. Of all the guys on the Jazz last night, I didn't see a more disgusted look than the one he had walking off after the loss. I'm surprised Sloan hasn't used the combo of Boozer and Millsap more (maybe they had, but I haven't seemed to notice it).

[Jackal]

He has, but you don't notice it because Boozer seems to be non-existant. He doesn't drive the ball to the hoop and settles for rainbow jumpers. Millsap on the other hand plays tough and despite being undersized plays like a big man should.

That 7'1 white boy they have sucks though. You're fucking 7'1...finish with a dunk instead of flipping it up you little bitch.