RECAP: Day 23 of the 2k8 NBA playoffs

by dj fuzzylogic on May 12, 2008 7:10 AM PDT in Recaps

“There’s no place like home” -- Dorothy, “Wizard of Oz”

For the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs, they clicked their heels twice and were transported back to their winning ways. After looking square in the Lakers’ triangle offense, the Jazz rocked the Lakers to their own rhythm (though I would say there’s as much Jazz in Utah as there is championship banners up in the Oracle). The Spurs’ “veteran presence” came to their rescue. Just when we thought Manu Ginobili’s career was going down, he continues to surprise us with that awkward game. And does anyone thinks it coincidental that his bald spot has stopped expanding, too? For reals, if the Spurs and Jazz go to the Western Conference finals, the next NBA event I’m watching this Spring/Summer is the draft (or maybe the Warrior girl tryout). No joke.

It’s surprising that none of these teams have been able handle others on the road. Are these teams that evenly matched? Or are they not really dominate teams? Maybe Hugo, the Hornets Mascot, needs to pull off some more game-delaying stunts to get the Spurs off their game?

So as not to sadden you with last night’s horrific “lowlights,” I give you the previous night's “highlights” instead!

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The Jazz

still have to prove they can beat the Lakers in LA. The Lakers put up a good fight in Utah, but so far, the Jazz hadn’t shown any signs of life in LA.

Meanwhile, I let out another groan when I checked the scores to see the Spurs trash the Hornets. I hope that doesn’t mean the Spurs have completely figured out the Hornets.

by IQofaWarrior on May 12, 2008 9:39 AM PDT 0 recs

Question, have you watched any of the Jazz series?

Because by your comment, it appears you just looked at the boxscore, unless our definition of showing signs of life are completely different.

In reality, every game of the Jazz-Lakers series has played out almost the same way, with the home team winning.

Game 1: Utah struggles in the 2nd quarter, goes down big, comes back and cuts the Lakers lead to 4 late in the fourth, before eventually losing.

Game 2: Utah struggles in the 1st, goes down big, comes back and cuts the Lakers lead to 6 late in the fourth, before eventually losing.

Game 3, L.A. struggles in the 2nd, goes down big, comes back and cuts the Jazz’ lead to 4 late in the fourth, before eventually losing.

Game 4, L.A. struggles in the 3rd, goes down big, comes back and ties the game, before eventually losing.

I don’t get where you’re not seeing a fight. Both teams have come back from double digit deficits on the road to make it a game and neither have been able to get over the hump. Even in game 4, L.A. spent most of the game playing from behind (in fact, their only lead could have been 2-0).

But yes, Utah still needs to prove they can win on the road and that’s going to be touhg. I still think this is the Lakers series to lose, but Utah could pull out a shocker Wednesday and wrap this up at home Friday.

by JazzyUte on May 12, 2008 9:47 AM PDT up 0 recs

Yes, I have.

I watched most of Utah vs Lakers. I know in Game 1 and Game 2 the Jazz came close to a comeback, but there’s something about the way the Lakers played that made me feel like the Lakers were never really in trouble and out of control of the game. To me, it felt more like a Laker let down than a Jazz comeback that let the Jazz back into the game. That’s why I felt like the Jazz hadn’t shown any signs of life. That perception is probably compounded by their poor road record this season.

In Game 3 and Game 4, I always felt like the Lakers were always in the game, always capable of stealing a game, and I never felt like the Jazz ever had control of the game.

So until the Jazz show that they can rattle the Lakers enough to steal a game in LA, I will have my doubts on them.

by IQofaWarrior on May 12, 2008 10:23 AM PDT up 0 recs

Weird, because I actually thought the opposite.

Obviously the Lakers hit the big shots when Utah came rolling back, but Utah did that in Salt Lake, too. I really believed, when Utah cut the Lakers lead to 4 or so in game 2, Utah would pull it out and they nearly did. Yeah, you can say the Lakers let them back in, but the fact is, both games were competitive and the Lakers only had large leads in the first half. Neither team has been able to dominate a complete game, like we’ve seen from other semi-finals series.

Utah probably is going to struggle again in game 5, but if they don’t have a bad quarter, like they did in the first two games, then they will be in the game and might be able to pull it out late. Utah is playing better as the series goes on, L.A. is not and that has to be a concern for the Lakers.

by JazzyUte on May 12, 2008 10:44 AM PDT up 0 recs