Editor's Note: Eh, More or Less

The Lakers victory over the Jazz was a hollow one at best, though one can still take solice in the fact that LA has defeated Utah three straight times already. Poor defense marred an otherwise stellar offense, raising many questions of whether or not this Laker team can handle the Jazz in Salt Lake City. While Utah has an unbelievable offense, this is the same team that gives up way too many points to the opposition. The Lakers need to take advantage of clear areas, like the absence of Mehmet Okur in the Jazz lineup. Los Angeles needs to contain Deron Williams by any means, even if it leaves open other shooters. Right now, Williams is the hot hand, and he can burn LA even when covered by Derek Fisher or Shannon Brown. The bench needs to step up. Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic have been lackluster, letting Brown and Lamar Odom (above) do most of the heavy lifting. One place the Lakers have discovered the Jazz are vulnerable in is beyond the arc, and those two need to take advantage of that. There are many ways the Lakers can hold off a team like Utah. It all comes down to using those ways.