Game 3: Lakers Go Cold in Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Utah Jazz 88-86, putting the series at 2-1 with the Lakers still leading. The Lakers had only one good quarter, scoring 33 in the third, while finishing with 53 in the other three. It was a game of streaks, as the Lakers entered the second half trailing just by four, then used a 25-8 run to put LA up by 14. However, the Lakers could only eek out 18 points in the fourth quarter, while allowing 28 points to the Jazz. LA shot just .368 from the field, and went 16-for-26 from the charity stripe. Utah snatched 55 rebounds compared to the Purple and Gold's 40, but the Jazz's 15 turnovers let the Lakers stay in the game. Lamar Odom led LA with 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant added 18 points despite shooting just 5-for-24. Pau Gasol put up 20 points and 9 rebounds, and no other Laker scored in double-figures. Deron Williams hit a jumper with just 2.2 seconds left to put the Jazz up, and finished with 13 points and 9 assists. Carlos Boozer had 23 points and 22 rebounds, a Utah playoff record, and the Jazz bench out-scored LA's bench 31-28, and without Odom's points, 31-7.