NBA Playoff Recap – Western Conference Semifinal, Game 3

(1) L.A. Lakers 111, (5) Utah 110 – Lakers lead series 3-0

Just when the Utah Jazz looked like they were going to grab a Game 3 victory in front of their raucous home crowd, two familiar foes reared their heads. Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher hit two clutch three-pointers in the final minute, and L.A. survived a near-catastrophic final few seconds of regulation to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. With the Lakers inbounding the ball and leading by three points with 6.1 seconds remaining, Ron Artest threw the ball away and gave Utah a chance to win. Utah’s Deron Williams missed a 20-footer and Wesley Matthews’s follow up at the buzzer rolled off the rim and the Lakers escaped with a series-defining victory.

Bryant’s late three came after Utah’s Kyle Korver - who scored 23 points on a staggering 9 of 10 from the field, including a perfect 5 for 5 behind the arc - put the Jazz up three with just over one minute left in the ballgame. Enter Derek Fisher. The former Jazzman hit a deep three to put the Lakers up by 1 with 26 seconds remaining and Utah never recovered.

It looked as if the Jazz were going to make this series much more competitive during the first half. The Jazz took a 13-point lead midway through the second quarter. Though saddled with foul trouble, Deron Williams led Utah with 14 first-half points. Williams finished with 28 points and 9 assists.

Though the former MVP - Bryant - was huge down the stretch, the Lakers were fueled by Ron Artest on the offensive end. Artest scored 20 points, including 4 3-pointers to keep the Lakers within striking distance in the second half. In a second round that has been devoid of competitive basketball league-wide, Game 3 was home to countless lead changes and a fantastic playoff atmosphere.

The Lakers proved again that they are every bit the championship-caliber squad that won the NBA title last season. Los Angeles has now won two straight playoff games in front of hostile crowds, the first coming in the opening-round clincher in Oklahoma City. No team has ever recovered from a 3-0 series deficit and it doesn’t look good for an outmatched, outsized, and young Utah club. Laker head coach Phil Jackson is just one victory away from moving to 46-0 after winning Game 1 of a playoff series.

Pro Basketball Fans features NBA jerseys, basketball tickets and LA Lakers Merchandise!

By: Zach Bloxham
Pro Basketball Fans Guest Writer

> Read all of the pro basketball articles online from ProBasketball-fans.com.