[rjt721]

Not WILL the Lakers win, which is a certainty, but by how many?

I say 14.

[pimike]

Utah wins

[rjt721]

Utah wins

I'll take that bet.

[gordon gekko]

Utah wins

Lakers by 15+

[pimike]

Koby will be a non factor his is playing hurt becareful with that.

[LB]

He was supposed to have hurt his back earlier and ended up with 33 pts, 8 rebs, and 10 assists, pretty good numbers for being hurt. It's just amazing what happens when you don't make free throws, memphis anyone...

[Dark Horse]

Lakers are in trouble. If the zebras stop bailing LA out at the FT line in home games, this next game is one that Utah could steal. Game 7 would be a lot harder, so this is their best shot. Kobe is not going to be healthy. Gasol is too soft. I could never bet on the Lakers here. Without a significant improvement in Kobe's health I would say they're toast; as long as Utah doesn't beat itself.

[rjt721]

If the zebras stop bailing LA out at the FT line in home games, this next game is one that Utah could steal.

You and I both know that's unlikely. The FT discrepancy that was in LA's favor in Games 1 and 2, only to be decidedly in Utah's favor Sunday, will once again lead to the Lakers heading to the line 40 times. And the refs won't take Fisher out of the game as they did in each of the past two.

I don't think Utah can count on Kirilenko, Brewer and Harpring duplicating their combined 11-15 effort from Sunday. As for Kobe, I'm almost inclined to think he was exaggerating his injury for dramatic effect -- interesting how he was only wincing after missed shots and turnovers. Regardless, Kobe can find ways to be effective without scoring. Whether he'll accept that role is another question, as he threw away any chance of the Lakers stealing this game with his selfish play in OT. I just think Utah needs to play a near-perfect game to get a W at Staples. I know Deron's capable of playing the part, but I wouldn't count on him getting the required help Utah will need to win this game.

We're probably looking at a 7-game series.

[Dark Horse]

Lower back injuries can be unbelievably debilitating and painful. Plus there's no quick cure.

[The_Kid]

You and I both know that's unlikely. The FT discrepancy that was in LA's favor in Games 1 and 2, only to be decidedly in Utah's favor Sunday, will once again lead to the Lakers heading to the line 40 times. And the refs won't take Fisher out of the game as they did in each of the past two.

I don't think Utah can count on Kirilenko, Brewer and Harpring duplicating their combined 11-15 effort from Sunday. As for Kobe, I'm almost inclined to think he was exaggerating his injury for dramatic effect -- interesting how he was only wincing after missed shots and turnovers. Regardless, Kobe can find ways to be effective without scoring. Whether he'll accept that role is another question, as he threw away any chance of the Lakers stealing this game with his selfish play in OT. I just think Utah needs to play a near-perfect game to get a W at Staples. I know Deron's capable of playing the part, but I wouldn't count on him getting the required help Utah will need to win this game.

We're probably looking at a 7-game series.

Kobe was selfish in OT, but that was because his teammates were just standing around and watching. None of them wanted to step up even when they knew he was struggling with his back injury. Though it was not the only reason the Lakers lost, the zebras gave Utah the game. That combined with the Lakers lack of execution down the stretch, were in my opinion, the reason they lost Game 4. How can the Jazz shoot more FTs when they are the more physical team? IMO, refs clearly messed up on a lot of calls. Even if the Lakers shot more FTs than the Jazz in Games 1 and 2, you have to account for the meaningless FTs at the end of the game when the Jazz kept fouling even though they were down by DD.

[unde0087]

Lakers are not in trouble. Kobe is fine and even if he is playing hurt he is still the best player on the floor. Jazz don't play nearly as good away from home, in fact they have lost by 9 or more every time they have seen the Lakers in L.A. They could cover this but not a chance to win. The Lakers won't miss the easy shots at home and they won't have the silly turnovers they did in Utah. I wouldn't doubt Lakers win this going away once again. You see bets on Utah because everyone sees them play at home and get excited thinking they are going to keep that up on the road. They aren't even close to the same team when they are away. It took Utah overtime and a injured Kobe to escape with a win in Utah and now suddenly they are going to win in L.A. Sounds like a joke to me.

[Wilforth]

A Lakers' win is a CERTAINTY but the 9 pt handicap is a huge trap! Lakers ordinarily can win by say 12 pts but you know what the third hand can do to these games!

[YoungMoney23]

Go Jazz!

[Tchocky]

Why are you so certain the Lakers will win? Are you going all in on the Lakers? I'm taking the Jazz +9.

[imgv94]

Utah 102
Lakers 113

[rjt721]

Why are you so certain the Lakers will win? Are you going all in on the Lakers? I'm taking the Jazz +9.

Of course not. I just figured if I started the thread in this manner I'd get more interesting responses.