Update: Lakers Win - Utah Goes Is Home!

Last night the Lakers played three quarters of perfect, almost flawless basketball. Unfortunately there are four quarters in an NBA game. They came very close to blowing a nineteen point half-time lead in the last five minutes or so when Utah finally found the three-point range and damn near shot the series back to Staples Center.

Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher all contributed to what was a white-knuckler of a fourth quarter. I had a feeling that Utah was going to make one last run at the Lakers and sure as hell it happened with five minutes to go. Thanks also to Carlos Boozer of Utah for fouling out. You were a major factor and I was relieved to see you sit down. Also, congratulations to Utah for playing a great series and giving the Lakers all they could handle.

Now it's time to see what happens with the Spurs and the Hornets to see who's next. I predicted the Lakers were a vastly improved team over a month ago with a very good chance to go deep in the playoffs and now here they are heading to the Western Conference Finals. Go Lakers and thank you Phil Jackson for backing up your words and predictions three years ago.