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SALT LAKE CITY -- Unlike the first two games in Los Angeles, the Utah Jazz got off to a great start. Midway through the first half the Jazz scored 12 points on six straight layups, building a 10 point lead.
The defense on Kobe Bryant was the best it's been this series. Kobe was one for 10 shooting in the first half. That is the first time in nine years that Kobe has shot as low as 10 percent in a half in a playoff game.
Carlos Boozer was more like his old self as he put up big numbers in the first half; 13 points and 16 rebounds. But even with all of those good things happening for the Jazz, they still led the Lakers by only 4 at the half.
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Boozer leads Jazz back into series
Deron Williams hit a fadeaway jumper with 2.2 seconds left to give Utah an 88-86 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, getting the Jazz back into the first-round playoff series.In the second half, when the Lakers went on a 12-1 run to take a double digit lead, Jerry Sloan inserted Matt Harpring into the lineup and that was the turning point in this game. The old veteran who during the season had to sit out a game or two because of injuries ignited the Jazz, scoring eight of 13 points for the Jazz in the fourth quarter to regain the lead by three.
"Somebody had to be a spark, whether it was me or somebody else." Matt Harpring
Deron Williams hit the game-winning shot with 2 seconds left but it was Matt Harpring that saved the Jazz in the fourth quarter with his energy and clutch shots to get the lead and momentum back to the Jazz. Matt Harpring was the spark that put the Jazz back into this series as they head to game four on Saturday.
