Lakers expect a noisy challenge tonight in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – The stage is set here tonight – either for the Lakers to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Jazz or Utah to once again turn this into a competitive series.

The Lakers are expecting a fervent Utah crowd here, where the Jazz went a league-best 37-4 during the regular season.

So some of that non-verbal communication may come in handy. At this morning’s shoot-around, Kobe Bryant said oftentimes, the crowd noise here is so loud, the team cannot hear one another on the court.

“A lot of times, with calls, you can’t necessarily hear the calls that are being made so we do a pretty good job in recognizing one another and communicating via eye contact or something like that or just position on the court to be able to execute,” he said.

Bryant added that it’s important the Lakers get out to another fast start as in Wednesday’s Game 2.

“We are ready to go, ready to play,” he said. “We have to execute shooting the ball. They’re going to come out with a lot of energy, a lot of toughness. What we have to do is stick to our strategy, be patient and execute.”

Today also marks a year to the day since Derek Fisher flew cross country while aiding his daughter who was battling a serious sickness to arrive in time to help the Jazz win a playoff game over the Golden State Warriors.

Fisher rejoined the Lakers in the offseason.

“With it being the playoffs tonight, I expect it to be really intense and really hostile in there,” Fisher said. “Jazz fans are coming out tonight to really help their team get a win. That’s what we’re expecting, I’m expecting. How that impacts me personally or what people choose to do, I’m not sure about, but I know tonight’s game is going to be one of the most physical and most challenging games we’ve played all season.”

jonathan.abrams@latimes.com