This is a big game coming up for both teams. All playoff games are big. But this game is definitely a swing game. If the Lakers win, they are just one game away (home game might I add) from winning the series. If the Jazz win, they have made it a series again.

Last game was a very interesting one. The Lakers played horribly offensively with way too many turnovers. They were also out rebounded yet again and still found a way to keep the game close in the end. I expect the Lakers to clean it up on the Offensive end. I’m waiting to see if Pau Gasol can respond. He has played horribly and is wanting the Refs to bail him out on every call.

I fully expect Kobe Bryant to have another big game. Expect to see him have another big 4th quarter like he did in game 3. The Utah Jazz just simply have no answer for Kobe at all. The biggest key other than the turnovers will be the bench. The Laker bench was outscored in game 3 for the first time all playoffs. Farmar and Vuyacic were basically non-existent. They need to have at least a few made buckets while the starters are on the bench.

Prediction:
Lakers will win 108-104 with the Jazz keeping it close all game long. Kobe Bryant will have a huge 4th quarter to keep the Jazz “at bay”. Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom will have solid games to help contribute. As will Sasha and Turiaf from off the bench. Gasol and Farmar will struggle like they did in game 3, causing the game to be much closer than it should be.

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