Jazz & Spurs Win at Home – Now are Even in the Playoffs

Recently in the NBA Playoffs; the Utah Jazz defeated the Lakers in overtime while the San Antonio Spurs won last Sunday against New Orleans tiding the series in both Western Conference NBA playoffs semifinals.

The top scorer was Utah Jazz Deron Williams with 29 points and 12 assists; Williams carry a big fourth-quarter lead and his team obtained the victory in overtime 123-115 over the Lakers. The series are now 2-2.

On the other hand; the top NBA champion San Antonio managed to balance the series against the Hornets winning at home 100-80 and putting the series 2-2.

Tim Duncan helped the Spurs with 22 points and 15 rebounds while Tony Parker had 21 points. Additionally; Hornets Chris Paul added 23 points but these weren’t enough for his team to win. With that result the Spurs pushed the Hornets into a fifth game on Tuesday at New Orleans basically a one-on-one.

During the Lakers vs. Utah game the MVP Kobe Bryant was evidently stressed during much of the game due to a sore back; but despite his injury he scored 33 points; 8 of which were scored in the last quarter and overtime.

Furthermore; one of the most important plays for Utah was the Williams to Kirilenko assist, who dunked with 36 seconds remaining during the overtime. Kirilenko got the foul and changed the free throw to give his team a five point lead. After that, Kobe missed a shot driving to the basket, Boozer rebounded for the Jazz and passed the ball to Korver who made the two free throws to wrap up the win for the Jazz.

"You know they've got the ability to come back, we just hoped we'd have enough energy," said Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan. "Fortunately; we had enough to get it into overtime and win the ball game."

The Utah Jazz made an exceptional game they neutralized Derek Fisher in the first half owed to early foul trouble, but came back to harm with three 3-point shots in the fourth quarter before fouling out. On the other hand; Ronny Turiaf from the Lakers was put out of the game after hurting Ronnie Price, who suffered a cut above his eye.

"When Price is going for the layup, my job is to block the shot," Turiaf said. "Unfortunately we collided and he fell to the floor. When I saw him on the floor I felt sorry for him because he's one of my friends in the NBA. The way everybody reacted, calling me names and all that stuff ...To be in here and see those guys out there without me was very difficult," he said. "I guess it was my fault for putting myself in a position like that, but it's very unfortunate."

Although; Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said he considerate the call was ruthless. He also mentioned that  "Ronny did go up to block the shot, but I thought he entirely played the ball. I was very surprised he was put out of the ballgame and I told him so," Jackson said. Now; the Lakers will host game number five in the Staple Center on Wednesday and the Hornets will do the same on Tuesday in New Orleans.