With a three-day lapse between Games 2 and 3 in the Lakers' Western Conference semifinals matchup with Utah, the scenario provided a perfect time for the Lakers to take a day off on Wednesday. After all, in this season of injuries, Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest could sure use the rest to heal up even if they have pledged to play through the pain.
Yet, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson has maintained a long-held fear that a day off from practice can lead to sluggishness the following day. Hence, Thursday's long practice, which mostly entailed work on transition defense and defensive rotations. And even with the Lakers being cautious with Bynum's lateral meniscus in his right knee, Bryant's sore right knee and Odom's sprained right knee and sore left shoulder, they all participated in practice.
"The day off is sometimes a disconnect," Jackson said, "and we just can't be disconnected during the playoffs."
Yet, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson has maintained a long-held fear that a day off from practice can lead to sluggishness the following day. Hence, Thursday's long practice, which mostly entailed work on transition defense and defensive rotations. And even with the Lakers being cautious with Bynum's lateral meniscus in his right knee, Bryant's sore right knee and Odom's sprained right knee and sore left shoulder, they all participated in practice.
"The day off is sometimes a disconnect," Jackson said, "and we just can't be disconnected during the playoffs."
The Lakers have a 2-0 lead against Utah heading into Game 3 Saturday, and they appear well on their way advancing past the Jazz rather easily for the third consecutive postseason. But there's plenty of reasons why Jackson and his team don't want to feel completely comfortable:
The Lakers had a 2-0 lead against Oklahoma City before allowing the Thunder to take two wins on their home court. The Lakers are 4-6 in their last 10 regular-season games at Salt Lake City's Energy Solutions Arena. In the last two playoff matchups, the Jazz took Game 3 in front of an electric and intense home crowd that's also partly responsible for a 32-9 regular-season home record. And Utah forward Andrei Kirilenko plans to play Saturday after missing 23 of the last 25 games because of a strained left calf muscle. Jackson described the versatile 6-foot-9 forward as "one of the most unique defenders in the league for his ability to block from behind and chasing guys on breaks." Kirilenko is expected to guard Kobe Bryant, and he says he's looking forward to the matchup.
The Lakers had a 2-0 lead against Oklahoma City before allowing the Thunder to take two wins on their home court. The Lakers are 4-6 in their last 10 regular-season games at Salt Lake City's Energy Solutions Arena. In the last two playoff matchups, the Jazz took Game 3 in front of an electric and intense home crowd that's also partly responsible for a 32-9 regular-season home record. And Utah forward Andrei Kirilenko plans to play Saturday after missing 23 of the last 25 games because of a strained left calf muscle. Jackson described the versatile 6-foot-9 forward as "one of the most unique defenders in the league for his ability to block from behind and chasing guys on breaks." Kirilenko is expected to guard Kobe Bryant, and he says he's looking forward to the matchup.
But there are also plenty of reasons for the Lakers to like their chances. Though the Jazz didn't give up in Game 1 or Game 2, they have had no answer for the Lakers' size advantage in Bynum, Odom and Pau Gasol. Those three grabbed at least 10 rebounds apiece in Games 1 and 2, a feat that hasn't happened since the 1985 Portland team accomplished it in a playoff matchup against Dallas. Even before the day off, Bryant said his health has progressed tremendously, while Bynum hasn't appeared tentative while playing through an injury. And in their last meeting at Utah on Feb. 10, the Lakers coasted to a 96-81 victory without Bryant and Bynum in the lineup.
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