L.A Lakers: Old Problems Revisit

Game Four against the Utah Jazz was a loss in overtime for the Lakers. The score was 123 - 115 in favor of the Utah Jazz and it made it a three games series. The series is even after four games, so the first team to two more victories advances.

Much of the focus has been on Kobe Bryant’s back problems and how that might have cost the Lakers the game. However, a look at the box score reveals some old problems:

• The L.A. Lakers tried twenty five free throws and only made fourteen of them. That is a dismal fifty six per cent efficiency from the foul line. By comparison, the Utah Jazz visited the foul line forty five times. The Jazz made thirty seven of these foul shots. That is eighty two per cent from the foul line.
• Shots are not dropping for Vladimir Radmanovic. He is starting but he is not generating the offense that is expected. In Game Four, Vladimir Radmanovic had more personal fouls than he had points. He made three fouls while scoring two points.
• The Lakers’ problem containing swift point guards has resurfaced. Deron Williams led the Jazz in scoring with twenty nine points, along with fourteen assists. Both Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar are having trouble with the Jazz point guard. Derek Fisher fouled out and Jordan Farmar’s slump continues. Jordan Farmar has not scored in Game Three nor in Game Four. The Jazz will look to exploit this if Jordan Farmar’s productivity does not increase… immediately.

Game Five is in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 14. Game Six is in Salt Lake City. And if Game Seven is necessary, it will be on Monday, May 19, in Los Angeles. With the Lakers problems in Salt Lake City, Game Five looms as a ‘must win’ for the Lakers - and a game that the Jazz would like to steal and then finish the series at home.

Catherine