Too Close For Comfort

Well it certainly wasn't pretty, but the Los Angeles Lakers took care of business in Game 2 with 119-109 victory over the Utah Jazz. The Lakers now have a 2-0 lead in the best of seven series, which will shift to Utah on Thursday. Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Pau Gasol added 22, and Lamar Odom scored 19 off the bench for the Lake Show, who once again showed they do not have the "killer instinct" of a champion. The Lakers were up by as many as 22 points in the 1st half, yet allowed Utah to get back in the game much in the same way as they did in Game 1.  Utah pulled to within six points SEVEN times in the 3rd quarter, yet were never able to get over the hump. Every time Utah made it interesting, the Lakers would either get a big basket, or Utah would turn the ball over. Utah was led by point guard Deron Williams, who notched a career playoff-high with 35 points. Carlos Boozer added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz, who once again were without their injured center Mehmet Okur. I'll take the win from the Lakers, but I certainly was not happy with the way they played. The Lakers committed 21 turnovers, and missed five free throws in the 4th quarter that kept Utah in the game. If the Lakers want to win the NBA Championship, they MUST have the instinct and the will to put teams away when they have the chance. It is unacceptable to have a 22 point lead in the 1st half and let almost all of that lead evaporate. I hope Phil Jackson really gives it to the players in practice, because the fact of the matter is if the Lakers played the way they did tonight in Utah, they will lose one if not both of the games that will be played there. The Jazz are a completely different team at home as they went 33-8 in the regular season at EnergySolutions Arena, and they will have the support of their fans, who will be loud throughout the whole game unlike the fans at Staples Center tonight. I can't complain too much though, after all seven Lakers scored in double figures, including Shannon Brown who is quickly becoming one of my favorite players on the team. Hopefully the Lakers intensity will pick up a bit, they will need to be on their A game in Utah. I think the Lakers will win one of the games in Utah, but I can't see them taking both. Game 3 is Thursday night at 7:30 in Salt Lake City

The Boston Celtics found out that Leon Powe will be out for the rest of the playoffs. That's the nail in the coffin for the defending champs. Even if the Celtics win their series against the Bulls, they won't get past the 2nd round with virtually no big men. The Celtics will be lucky if they can even get past the Bulls with Kendrick Perkins and Mikki Moore holding down the paint. Cleveland should now be almost assured a trip the NBA Finals, especially if they continue to play they way they did tonight against Detroit. The Cavaliers have a 2-0 lead over the Pistons after their 94-82 win. The Portland Trail Blazers evened their series with the Houston Rockets after they won by a score of 107-103 tonight. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Houston Astros today by a score of 8-5. The loss ended the Dodgers' eight-game winning streak. I was a bit disappointed, but you can't win them all right? I can't say I have much focus on the Dodgers right now, and I probably won't until the Lakers stop playing. 

I get to go to the Phoenix Zoo tomorrow with my MCO class, how lucky am I? I forgot to mention it's going to be 100 degrees tomorrow too....great