Mike Bresnahan ties up loose ends before Lakers playoff games

Staff writer Mike Bresnahan ties up some loose ends before Lakers playoff games.

Q&A; of the day

Question: Why do you suppose Pau Gasol yells every time he takes a shot in traffic? I’m guessing he’s trying to influence the refs to call a foul. It’s gotten a bit annoying for me. Otherwise, I love the guy.

-- Bill Graham, Manhattan Beach

Answer: Bill, my man, living in Manhattan Beach where the sun is shining, the beach volleyball is in high gear this weekend, and you’re thinking about Gasol’s grunts?

Slap on the SPF-15, hit the sand and enjoy a beverage at the Shade hotel lobby bar as you take in the Lakers’ playoff opener.

--

Looking ahead

So when the Lakers play Portland in the second round, will they finally be able to win at the Rose Garden after failing in their last eight tries?

“We’re just not talking about stuff like that,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said, short-circuiting the matchup that media members are already fantasizing about.

But that’s why we’re here.

Brandon Roy will be great and the Blazers will win their three games at home, but the Lakers will win Game 7 at Staples Center by 25. No, make that 30.

(Editor’s note: The above was written before Portland’s 108-81 loss Saturday night to Houston. Nice job, Bresnahan.)

--

Best-case Lakers scenario

Things really are as bleak as Jerry Sloan suggested. The Lakers have a 20-point lead by halftime and Kobe Bryant makes jokes about Kyrylo Fesenko’s name while watching the Utah reserves play from his spot on the bench in the fourth quarter.

--

Worst-case Lakers scenario

Mehmet Okur ends up playing, Utah looks more like last season’s team, and the Lakers go the way of the Celtics in their surprising first-round loss Saturday to Chicago.

--

Final thought

The Lakers are favored by 12, which might even be kind to the Jazz if Okur doesn’t play. If Sun Yue were healthy, he could expect major fourth-quarter minutes.

--

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com