Shirts and Skins Advice on Lakers vs. Jazz

by Bodog Sportsbook | May 11 2008

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz

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Q: It seems like every time Jerry Sloan has a good team, Phil Jackson comes along with his MVP star and ruins the show. What does Utah have to do to beat Phil Jackson’s Lakers in this series?

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Melissa - My crack team of NBA enthusiasts and I thought long and hard about an appropriate strategy for Utah. We concluded that the Jazz really only have one hope: they need to travel back in time to pick up Andre Kirilenko circa 2004-05 (also known as the height of AK47’s career). Then, they need to bring him to the present to dropkick the Lakers, Ivan Drago style.
If they fail to acquire a time machine on such short notice, the Jazz could make a wish upon a star. It’s worked before.

Jimmy - Stop fouling. The Lakers have scored 73 points off free throws in the first two games. It’s tough to win games when you give the other team 73 “free” points. The Jazz have to keep their composure when Kobe gets his “superstar” calls, and keep playing smart, physical basketball.

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Q: The Lakers are the only unbeaten team in the playoffs; how long could this streak last?

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Melissa -  I am not a Lakers fan, so I hope it doesn’t last. But, members of the crack team really believe that the Lakers have what it takes to win their way through the playoffs this year, next year and even the year after that! Personally, I’m confident in the Jazz. If I had to put all $7.58 in my bank account on a date, I’d say the streak ends this game! 

Jimmy - I'm going to say June. In their history, Lakers teams have won their first six playoff games four times. Three of those times they won world championships. The fourth in 2004, they were beat in the finals by the Pistons. Add to that the fact that when Phil Jackson’s teams win Game 1 in a playoff series, they are 39-0. We might not have seen the end of this run just yet.

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Q: What can Utah do to slow down Kobe Bryant?

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Melissa - My crack team of NBA enthusiasts suggested that Utah “triple team” Kobe and Gasol. I have a fairly limited understanding of the NBA’s rules, but I’m pretty sure it’s against them to ask two other teams to show up and help out, non?

Jimmy - The only way to slow Kobe Bryant down is to get him to do more offensively than he needs to. After winning his first MVP, and leading his team to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, he now understands the value in involving his teammates. Force the ball to stay in his hands and let him beat you. You need to turn him back into selfish Kobe, the 81-point scorer. Sure, he was awesome to watch on the highlights… But the Lakers didn’t win much.

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Q: What player will be the X factor for the Utah Jazz?

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Melissa - Definitely Deron Williams. The Lakers just don’t have a good matchup for this guy, and he’s really kicked it up a notch this year. He’s Utah’s not-so-secret weapon.


Jimmy - Mehmet Okur. He had a great Game 1 recording 21 points and 19 boards. But if the Jazz hope to be successful Okur is going to have to step up his defense and be more physical with Pau Gasol.

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Q: Who wins this game?

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Melissa -I’m putting my faith in the underdog: Utah wins this game.


Jimmy -  Lakers. The Jazz have been the best in the league all year at home.  Sloan’s team will come out emotionally charged and use that energy to make a run early, but the Lakers should withstand the initial storm and wear the home team down by the final buzzer.