Preview: Utah Jazz vs. L.A. Lakers
- 11/26/2010
Western Conference heavyweights clash in Salt Lake City Friday when the Northwest Division-leading Utah Jazz welcome the two-time defending champion LA Lakers to EnergySolutions Arena.
The Lakers have dominated the Jazz in recent seasons, knocking them out of the playoffs three straight years. In fact, LA has won eight of 11 regular season matchups over Utah in that span and 12 of 15 postseason games.
"It will be an exciting game for our team and the fans," Jazz big man Al Jefferson said. "We are a lot bigger this year."
The Jazz come into tonight's contest having won the first two games of a three-game homestand, the latest of which was a 105-87 rout of New Orleans on Wednesday. Deron Williams outdueled Chris Paul in that one, finishing with 26 points, 11 assists and five steals as Utah dealt the Hornets their third loss of the season.
Jefferson paced the Utah frontcourt with 23 points and 10 rebounds to help the Jazz win their third game in a row overall. They also beat New Orleans for the eighth time in the last nine meetings after holding the Hornets to 15 fourth- quarter points. The Jazz were perfect from the foul line, making all 19 of their attempts.
The Lakers, meanwhile, won their fifth straight game on Tuesday, a 98-91 triumph over Chicago at Staples Center . Shannon Brown and Lamar Odom each scored 21 points and Kobe Bryant chipped in 20 in that one as Los Angeles used a big run in the fourth quarter to down the Bulls.
Pau Gasol recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who made 10 three-pointers en route to their fifth straight win.
"They've been shooting the three great all season," Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said of the Lakers. "They are a great defensive team, and we settled too much for the jumper."
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