Lakers 3-1 and Want to Finish Things at Home

The Lakers, who are currently leading 3-1 in series against Utah Jazz, would like to finish things up at home tonight, thus avoiding another trip to Salt Lake. As Kobe Bryant told the L.A. Times, “I love Utah but I’d rather not see it again until next year.” The Lakers can close out their first round playoff series in Game 5 tonight at Staples Center, which would mean winning for the 13th time in their last 14 playoff home games. If the Lakers end things with the Jazz they can look ahead towards Houston or Portland, but if they don’t they will play Game 6 in Utah on Thursday.

Of the Lakers’ strategy tonight Pau Gasol said, “You don’t give them any life, any hope. Set the tone early and control the game. Make the game yours, and that’s what we’re going to do.” Bryant said Sunday he’s going to “continue to be aggressive,” much like he was in Game 4, with a 38-point, 16-for-24 shooting night. While only eight teams in NBA history have lost a series after being up 3-1, the Lakers were the last team to blow such a lead when they fell to Phoenix in seven games in a 2006 first-round series.

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