The Lakers began what they hope will be another run back to the Finals, with a 113-100 victory over the Utah Jazz. Kobe Bryant scored 23, Trevor Ariza had 21, and Pau Gasol chipped in 20 during Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs, which tipped off just after high noon on Sunday at Staples Center.
The early start time was something that Jazz coach Jerry Sloan joked about before the game, saying "I wish we were playing at eight ... AM. Then we might be able to beat 'em." The comment got a laugh out of the assembled media, but the Lakers were the ones who were all smiles in the first half.
L.A. made over 70 percent of its shots in the first quarter, and held Utah to just 32 percent on a dismal 9-of-23 from the field. The numbers were similar in the second, and so was the result -- the Lakers stretched their lead to 22 points by halftime.
It wasn't all fun and games for L.A., however, as Utah made a strong run in the third quarter to trim the lead back to single digits with a little over three minutes to go in the period. Predictably, Phil Jackson was less than thrilled with the way his team allowed Utah to climb back into the game in the second half.
"I don't even know if we can say we prevailed with that second half effort," Jackson said to open his post-game remarks. "But we got the win. It wasn't a coach's delight, that's for sure. But we were able to, you know, outscore them."
The Lakers took a 13-point lead into the fourth, though, and the Jazz never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.
Even though the Lakers led big for most of the afternoon, the game still had its fair share of playoff intensity. Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom each picked up technical fouls, and so did Sloan. Bryant sealed the game with a driving dunk down the middle of the lane, and after he was fouled on the play, showed some emotion by issuing some unquotable exclamations in the direction (and to the delight) of the 18,997 in attendance.
The game was called tightly by the officials -- especially in the third quarter, where the teams combined to be whistled for a whopping 16 personal fouls, resulting in a combined 25 free throw attempts.
The Jazz tried to slow the game down and turn it into a slug-fest in the second half, but the Lakers were able to get their shots in and get almost as many whistles themselves.
"The game just became a muck, and that's exactly the style of basketball that they play," Bryant said afterwards. "But we did a good job. They kept knockin' on our door, but we just never let 'em in."
Game 2 is Tuesday night, at the more regular 7:30PM start time. If the Jazz get going a little earlier than they were able to on Sunday, things might be a little tighter the next time around.
