Friday night is Game Six of the Utah Jazz - L.A. Lakers playoff series. It is an elimination game if the Jazz lose. The game is in Salt Lake City, so the immediate advantage goes to the Jazz. Home court has been very kind to the Jazz this season. During the regular season, the Jazz were 37-4 at home. Nevertheless, the Jazz are returning home from a Game Five loss in Los Angeles and now the task is to win two games in a row, to advance to the next playoff round.

Three keys to Game Six are:

• the Jazz must continue to out-rebound the Lakers. Second chance points from offensive rebounds will be crucial. When the Jazz have dominated in the rebounding statistics, it seems to try the Lakers’ patience. That will lead to key Lakers having foul problems.
• the Jazz need to have some efficiency with their three point shots. When the three point shots are successful, the Lakers will have more trouble stopping Deron Williams from driving to the hoop. Deron Williams can beat his prime defender. The path to the hoop will be less congested if the Lakers have to be more concerned about defending the three point shot.
• the Jazz need to go to the foul line more than the Lakers. This will happen if the rebounding and three point shooting are effective. This also means that the Jazz will have to stay out of foul trouble and have unlimited playing time for their starters.

The Lakers have had trouble matching the physical play of the Jazz. They have had trouble stopping speedy point guards and Deron Williams has been a nightmare for them. The Lakers, though, are playing with one decided advantage. Game Seven is in Los Angeles if the Jazz win Game Six.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster: http://flyinghamster.com/

Update: Final Score: Lakers 108 - Jazz 105. The Jazz came back after a huge half time deficit and could have tied the game with a last shot. It was several misses but it certainly gave the Lakers a scare.

Tags: nba, l.a. lakers, utah jazz, playoff, elimination