Lakers can’t get comfortable in Game 2
Traditionally, Lakers assistant coach Frank Hamblen said, Game No. 2 in the playoffs has the potential to be the trap game.
The Lakers lead the best-of-seven series against the Utah Jazz, 1-0, and play Game 2 Tuesday at Staples Center. But Hamblen, in charge of putting the Lakers’ game plan together against the Jazz, doesn’t want his team to be comfortable, even if the Lakers are playing at home.
Why?
“I think the visiting team has a better comfort level [for Game 2],” Hamblen said. “Utah has been in the city now. They are comfortable with their inner circle, with their surroundings, with the court. They know what the fans are going to be like for the most part. I think it’s just overall a more comfortable feeling for them.
“They probably know how we are going to play, and we know how they are going to play. I think the scales kind of balance it out.”
From the looks of things, the Jazz may have gotten comfortable in its surroundings in the fourth quarter of Game 1.
The Jazz, down by 14 points in the second quarter and by eight to start the fourth, outscored the Lakers, 26-23, in the final quarter and opened a four-point lead before faltering.
“We’ve shown things and they’ve shown things,” Hamblen said. “Now it’s up to both teams to counter.”
Hamblen outlined several keys for the Lakers to be successful in Game 2.
Match Utah’s physical play
The Jazz commit a high amount of fouls, and it likes to put bodies on opponents. Utah had 26 fouls called against it in Game 1, the Lakers 20.
“They are going to set hard, physical screens. That’s just always how they have been and how they are taught and coached,” Hamblen said.
Transition defense
The Jazz will run some fast breaks. If Utah doesn’t have a quick advantage, it will get into a “flow-game” to look for easy scoring opportunities.
“You need to contain their transition and dribble penetration game,” Hamblen said.
Movement
The Lakers have to move their bodies and the ball on offense. And they can’t allow the Jazz to load up on defense.
Look for the Jazz to make few adjustments.
Stick to the system
Utah will keep putting the ball in the hands of All-Star point guard Deron Williams and let him orchestrate the offense. The Jazz will set screens, run pick-and-rolls and have excellent ball and body movement.
“They have a system that has stood the test of time,” Hamblen.
Go inside
Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap, both undersized power forwards, will probably get the ball more down low.
Better start
The Jazz fell behind by 11 points after about eight minutes in the first quarter. They need to stay close to the Lakers from the start.
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