Posted by Scott Howard-Cooper
LOS ANGELES – Beating the Jazz on Sunday came as the Lakers passed the additional meaningful test of doing it on a quick turnaround, going from Game 6 of the first round Friday night in Oklahoma City to Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals about a day and a half later at Staples Center without complications.
Of course, the Jazz also played Friday night, and actually closed out the Nuggets in Salt Lake City about 30 minutes after the Lakers dispatched the Thunder. And Utah had easier travel of being at home, practicing on Saturday and flying to L.A. after in a normal routine. Going Oklahoma to L.A. and practicing the next day is unusual. Most of all, the Lakers, older than the former or current opponent, played noticeably better the opening round with two days off rather than one.
That made the impressive start against the Jazz and the eventual 104-99 victory all the more important.
“It’s encouraging for me to be able to move around and be able to do what I want to do,” Kobe Bryant admitted after playing 37 minutes and making 12 of 19 shots en route to 31 points, though he also had as many turnovers (four) as assists.
ALL I CAN SAY IS ” GO L A K E R S GO” !!!
[...] They had played only a couple of days before, had minimal rest in between games, but they still pulled off a great game hitting the semi finals with a fresh new stride, ready to keep playing [...]