Game Night: 11/30/2007 Jazz/Lakers

After a solid victory in Philadelphia, the Utah Jazz take on the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at the Energy Solutions Arena. The last time these two met was on November 4, with the Lakers winning 119-109. The Lakers are starting to get hot. Last night they beat the Denver Nuggets in a sick game; final score weas 127-99.

The Jazz have two of their key players listed as a game time decision. Mehmet Okur is listed as having back spasms. The way he's been playing, him not playing isn't going to necessarily hurt the Jazz. If Carlos Boozer can't play tonight, this will propably lead to a Lakers victory.

Let's assume that Okur is out and Boozer is in. They should play the Carlos Boozer/Deron Williams/Andrei Kirilenko/Ronnie Brewer/Paul Millsap lineup and run the ball.

As always, here are five key things for the Jazz tonight.

Turnovers. The Jazz have been really sloppy with their ball handling this season. Turnovers usually lead to their opponents getting easy points.
Defend people not named Kobe Bryant. Kobe is going to get his. There is no denying him. The Jazz should play single coverage, keeping either Brewer or Kirilenko on him. Double teaming just opens up other players. That said, everyone should stay with their defensive assignments. Make Chris Mihm and Jordan Farmar have to earn their points tonight.
Andrei Kirilenko should make like Jay Z and call tonight "The Takeover ". Boozer and Okur might be out tonight, so its your time. During this summer's "I want to get traded" rants, Kirilenko talked about how he wants more offensive touches and more plays called for him. Tonight he'll get a chance to show how good a scorer he is. And believe me, he is. He was ridiculous for team Russia during the Euro League tournament.
Abuse the opposing point guard. Deron Williams will likely be an All Star this year. Derek Fisher and Farmar won't even be considered. Williams will be able to score at will (three will's in a row) and get what he wants. If that Jazz are going to win tonight, he's going to need to score at least 20.
The bench must step up. Matt Harpring, Jarron Collins, and interchangable new combo guards who I'm not to attached to, I'm speaking to you. With the potential DNP's tonight, your going to have to be ready. We might even be blessed with an appearance by Gordan Giricek, who seems to have regained his spot in coach Jerry Sloan's doghouse.