Game 1: Jazz @ Lakers Sun. 5/2 1:30 MT ABC

[Sloanfeld]

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/ma ... azz-lakers

Game three is Saturday, so we get a decent rest after game two. Also, I hate going to work after I stay up until almost 2 AM watching games during the week and have to wake up at 6-6:30. I might take a day or two off.

What is it now, 13 straight we've lost in LA? You would think we would win one in that span. Sheesh.

I'd like to think Fes would make a difference in this series, but after the last couple of games I've concluded fully that the dude blows. Hope the FO does not waste money on him in the offseason.

[HammerDunk]

Awww yeah! Win one for my birthday Jazzmen!

[RIPskaterdude]

GO JAZZ!

[LAKESHOW]

the LAKERs are comin off a tough athletic competition with the spirited thunder team. weve got our work cut out for us with what is perceived as he greatest point guard in the game.

[edfmx86]

bull that the Jazz and Lakers have to play 2 days after theif playoff series end and the Spurs and Suns get an extra day and play Monday. at least theyll both teams are the same...and Lakers travel further.

[Matt007b]

*sigh* well now we'll have to deal with the media worshiping kobe..wonder if they'll do some lame commercial like the Carmelo one..? Hope not.

And what's with the NBA scheduling? Seriously? The first round of the playoffs have lasted longer than the Olympics it's a total joke! 3 days off..next series in 48 hours? What?? Sing it with me! [b]NBA SUCKS!!!/b] only reason I'm following it is because the Jazz... anyway had to vent..

ok here's my take...

I think this series depends on how we defend Gasol..with Fesenko/Koufus.. I have a hunch Fesenko is going to at least cause more problems then Okur would, he clogs up the lane and just causes all kinds of issues but the key is fouls on Fesenko and he will collect them especially with home cooking in L.A...but Matthews is a very much improved defender instead of Ronnie Brewer (who couldn't hit a shot last series..and let Kobe do whatever he wanted on defense as far as roaming... I have a hunch Laker fans are going to be in for a surprise. Plus Deron is going to OWN fisher..has and will this time.

Plus..it's true..Kobe is slower this season. If Matthews attacks on the opposite end which he will.. Kobe is gonna have problems on both ends of the court. He'll still get his star-treatment from refs for sure (because we all know Stern's dream is to have Lebron vs. Kobe) but this won't be a cake walk for them.

We NEED korver to get his shot back... AK would help also... I prefer Gaines over Price, but then again Price knows how to set a dang pick.. depends on the lineup.

Lakers are not invincible, I see us losing the series and the game BUT GO JAZZ

[jazz__stoner]

The thought of Fess up against Gasol and Bynum for an entire series makes me sick. Fess was absolute garbage against a Neneless Nuggets last night. He couldn't even catch a basketball for **** sake. I can't imagine how many quick stupid fouls he is gonna pick up leaving Millsap and Boozer to guard the two the whole game. There bigs are gonna dominate. I would love to see the Jazz make this series interesting!

Go Jazz! I can't wait for Deron to destroy Fisher.

[Jampod]

I'm just praying that we can steal one in LA and make this series interesting. Man, I wish we weren't so terrible against the Lakers.

[stevebozell]

I like this matchup better that last years, especially if AK can come back and give any type of contribution at all.

I agree with previous posters in their analysis of how Fes will do...his size and length will bother Gasol some, but he'll be in foul trouble before the 10 minute mark in the 1st.

What I REALLY like as opposed to last year, is Wes over Brewer. Im not sure he'll do much better on defense than Ronnie, but this year they sure as hell have to at least attempt to guard or 2, which will change things significantly. If AK is back for the entire series, I predict Lakers in 7. If not, I predict Lakers in 6.

[DaDragicShow]

Lets go Jazz beat the Lakers and then face a great Phx team.

[FJS]

Lets go Jazz beat the Lakers and then face a great Phx team.

This would be awesome for both teams,

[seejaydeja]

Well, if you wanna win it all, your gonna have to verse the best sometime. Jazz got their work cut out for em...I personally think we're too thin, and the next two games are really gonna wear us down when our starters gotta compensate for the lack of a bench. All i ask is that the jazz keep it close.

[FJS]

Imho Lakers are worse than last year, and Jazz are better.

First of all, last year Jazz played without confidence and after an horrible end of the regular season.
Deron is better now than last year. Boozer has played better this year than last year. CJ Miles is better than last year. Millsap with playing time is better than last year and have played a terrific 1st round. And Matthews is an upgrade of Ronnie Brewer, at least he can shoot from 3pt and is better FT.
Memo did not played last year and Fesenko... well, he has one year more of experience.
Fisher is worse than last year. Bryant is injuried with bad %fg. Artest is really worse than Ariza. And their bench is worse than last year.

So Lakers are favs, but still we can fight vs them.

[FJS]

Hope AK can play some four vs Odom and Gasol. It would be nice.

[FJS]

plus, suddenly we have some players in the regular rotation who can sink a 3. Deron, Matthews, Miles, Korver... this is an upgrade.

[seejaydeja]

[quote="FJS"
Fisher is worse than last year. [/quote]


maybe so, but he always turns on GOD MODE when he verses us. I expect a good series from him

[Jampod]

Hope AK can play some four vs Odom and Gasol. It would be nice.

I think that is a great idea.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

maybe so, but he always turns on GOD MODE when he verses us. I expect a good series from him

This is true. It even happens in NBA 2K10....I played against them in LA with the Jazz and he dropped 30 points and 18 assists on me. (I lost the game by 4 points)

The Lakers have so much confidence against this Jazz team, they play totally different against the Jazz then any other team in the league. I fully expect us to get blown out in LA, very similiarly to the Nuggets away games.

The biggest problems for the Jazz will be trying to stop LA's bigs and keep Odom in check. If you can keep Odom and at least one of the LA bigs in check then you have a great chance at winning. Sadly the Jazz really struggle to do either of those....this will either be a great series that goes 6-7 games or it will be very short and only go 4-5 games. The Jazz are going to have to play perfect games every night if they have any hope at taking the Lakers down.

Taking Kobe down hard a few times wouldn't hurt either.....(I'm looking at you Jeffers)

[jazz__stoner]

Does anyone have an update on Deron's hand/wrist?

[Neon Black]

Does anyone have an update on Deron's hand/wrist?

He bruised his arm and he says he's OK