Game One Sunday

The Lakers kick off their first-round series with the Utah Jazz on Sunday afternoon at the Staples Center.  While Los Angeles is heavily favored in this matchup, it’s important for the Lake Show to come out with guns blazing in the series opener.  There’s a lot to like about this Lakers team, but they have been known for going through some spells this season where they don’t play the most passionate brand of basketball.  While head coach Phil Jackson’s calm demeanor is certainly a rarity in this league, the Zen Master hasn’t had much trouble getting his team mentally ready for big games in the past.

The keys to this series don’t necessarily lie in the individual matchups, but more with which team will execute better on the defensive end.  Since both of these teams have so many weapons, stopping the opponent’s marquee players will be paramount in securing victory.  It will be much easier for the Lakers, though, as their main concerns will surely be point guard Deron Williams and power forward Carlos Boozers.  Their two-man game is a central part of the Jazz’s half-court set and slowing this combination will do wonders for the Lakers’ chance of making this a quick series.  The Jazz will have much more difficulty shutting down the Lakers’ offensive attack, especially with a healthy Andre Bynum manning the middle.

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Posted in General on April 17, 2009

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