Tuesday report
Not trying to be overly dramatic, but Wednesday's game might be the Jazz's season. It's hard to imagine the Jazz could win four of the next five games to take the series (even returning to EnergySolutions Arena) if they fall behind 2-0.
On the other hand, if the Jazz could steal a victory in Los Angeles, they could settle into the series, knowing it's probably going to go six or seven games. Aside from Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, the Lakers don't exactly have a roster of proven playoff performers.
The Jazz seemed to get the most out of the two days they were home, watching tape of what they did wrong in Game 1, and will be vastly more prepared for Game 2. They also are ready to weather the first-quarter storm after Bryant's MVP trophy presentation.
"It'd be huge to go out there and steal one, especially after the way we played last game," Deron Williams said. "I didn't think we had a very good game, so we definitely need this one."
It's not out of the realm of possibility to say that the winner of this Jazz-Lakers series will have the inside track on winning the championship, with New Orleans leading San Antonio 2-0 and Boston struggling to live up to expectations in the playoffs.
* * *
Talked to Ronnie Brewer at practice today about whether the referees are policing the Jazz more after the tapes Houston sent in during the first round.
"I think they may be searching to see if we're playing dirty," Brewer said. "I don't necessarily think we're playing dirty or any more physical than what other teams do. I thought the game before we beat them, [the Rockets] were really, really, really physical with us down there.
"It's part of basketball. We expected that. We didn't send out tape or anything like that. We just continue to play. That's the only thing you can do. We're in the NBA. We're grown. It's going to be physical. It's the playoffs. You can only expect that."
--Ross Siler
On the other hand, if the Jazz could steal a victory in Los Angeles, they could settle into the series, knowing it's probably going to go six or seven games. Aside from Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, the Lakers don't exactly have a roster of proven playoff performers.
The Jazz seemed to get the most out of the two days they were home, watching tape of what they did wrong in Game 1, and will be vastly more prepared for Game 2. They also are ready to weather the first-quarter storm after Bryant's MVP trophy presentation.
"It'd be huge to go out there and steal one, especially after the way we played last game," Deron Williams said. "I didn't think we had a very good game, so we definitely need this one."
It's not out of the realm of possibility to say that the winner of this Jazz-Lakers series will have the inside track on winning the championship, with New Orleans leading San Antonio 2-0 and Boston struggling to live up to expectations in the playoffs.
* * *
Talked to Ronnie Brewer at practice today about whether the referees are policing the Jazz more after the tapes Houston sent in during the first round.
"I think they may be searching to see if we're playing dirty," Brewer said. "I don't necessarily think we're playing dirty or any more physical than what other teams do. I thought the game before we beat them, [the Rockets] were really, really, really physical with us down there.
"It's part of basketball. We expected that. We didn't send out tape or anything like that. We just continue to play. That's the only thing you can do. We're in the NBA. We're grown. It's going to be physical. It's the playoffs. You can only expect that."
--Ross Siler
10:02 PM
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