Lakers - MVP Kobe Bryant takes game 1 from Utah
May 5, 2008 by James Edwards
Filed under Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz
NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.
Kobe about to be fouled
Image details: Utah Jazz v Los Angeles Lakers, Game 1 served by picapp.com
Kobe is expected to be presented with the NBA MVP award, but he got in a hurry and put on an MVP performance for the LA crowd in defeating the Utah Jazz.
Los Angeles 109 Utah 98
Kobe set a foul shooting franchise record.
Bryant, celebrating what’s expected to be his first NBA MVP award, converted six of his franchise playoff-record 21 foul shots in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Utah Jazz 109-98 Sunday to begin the second round of the playoffs.
So just how good are the Lakers?
The Lakers were outrebounded by the Utah Jazz 58-41 on Sunday afternoon. The disparity in offensive rebounds was even more pronounced, 25-8. No surprise then that the Jazz also posted a significant edge in second-chance points, 26-12.
I don’t offer these numbers as mere arithmetic, but as statistical anomalies in evidence of just how good the Lakers really are. The team that controls the boards — especially the offensive boards, especially come playoff time — is almost always the winning team. But these Lakers do so many things so well — a more diversely talented team than any in the game — they can actually overcome an ass-kicking on the glass.
Mehmet Okur had 21 points and 19 rebounds in the losing cause.
Kobe had 38 points 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Not a bad night for the MVP.
As always, any NBA Basketball related comments are welcome.
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