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Lamar Odom celebrates after getting the dunk and the foul. AP Photo/Chris Carlson
LA Lakers defeat Utah Jazz 107-96. When the Lakers led by 22 points, it really did look like the Lakers would shut the door on the Jazz. But it wouldn't be a Laker win without the opponent making a comeback, wouldn't it? The Jazz's second unit made a strong comeback in the fourth quarter cutting it down to six points late the in quarter mostly due to the effort of backup guard Ronnie Price. Well that and the Lakers refusal to play defense down the stretch. But once the starters came back in with five minutes left in the game, they clamped down a gave the Lakers the victory. Kobe Bryant was his usual self with 31 points and Lamar Odom was a complete beast with 26 points and 15 rebounds. The Lakers win the series four games to one and will face the winner of the Houston Rockets - Portland Trail Blazers series.
Anaheim Ducks defeat San Jose Sharks 4-1. Two seconds after the opening face off Ryan Getzlaf and Joe Thornton took the mitts off and brawled on center ice. From that moment everyone knew this would be a great match. The Ducks would spend most of the first 10 minutes in the penalty which the Sharks would capitalize on with a power play goal at 10:19. In the last five games the team that scored first won. However the Ducks would not allow that mostly on the efforts of their goalie Jonas Hiller who stopped anything that came anywhere near his time zone. The Ducks become the fifth team to upset the best regular season since the Expansion Era (1967) and show yet again that the Sharks always collapse in the postseason. The Ducks now face the Detroit Red Wings and their octopus-flinging fans for the fifth time since 1997.
San Francisco Giants defeat LA Dodgers 5-4. I didn't watch this game. All I know was the Dodgers couldn't catch the ball, and when they finally took the lead Ronald Belisario gave it right back up. Sorry. Playoff basketball and hockey were far too compelling.
Tonight's Action
LA Dodgers at San Francisco Giants. Chad Billinsgley vs. Jonathan Sanchez. 7:15 pm KCAL9, AM 790 KABC.
LA Angels at Baltimore Orioles. Joe Saunders vs. Adam Eaton. 4:05 pm FSWest, AM 830 KLAA/AM 980 KFWB,
