This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Carlos Boozer salutes the Jazz faithful. AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson
Utah Jazz defeat LA Lakers 88-86. Everyone knew it was going to be ugly, and boy was it. The Lakers couldn't score in the first quarter, and Carlos Boozer just ate up rebounds. In fact Boozer tied a franchise playoff record getting 22 rebounds. Trailing by as many as 10 in the first quarter the Lakers came back to trail by only four at the half. But the third quarter was all Lakers as they came back and led by as many as 13. But the Jazz started to chip away trading the lead with the Lakers in the final minutes. The Lakers would tie the game leaving 11 seconds on the clock which would give Deron Williams plenty of time to make the winning jumper with two seconds. Andrew Bynum who came into the game complaining about pain in his knee would foul out in the third quarter scoring only four points in seven minutes. Kobe Bryant started out ice cold but would eventually score 18 points while Lamar Odom was a monster posting a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds. I expected the Lakers to lose this game, but they will rebound on Saturday to win game four.
LA Dodgers defeat Houston Astros 2-0. For the last several seasons, Chad Billingsley was known for having to throw a lot of pitches in order to get hitters out. But this season he has turned into an ace. He went 7 1/3 innings pitching a shut out on three hits and two walks with five strike outs on 105 pitches. Jonathan Broxton came in for another five-out save getting his fifth. Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake hit RBI singles in the first and seventh innings which would be all the Dodgers needed behind the excellent pitching performance. Billingsley is now 4-0 for the season lowering his ERA to 2.05. The Dodgers head to Colorado for the weekend.
Anaheim Ducks defeat San Jose Sharks 4-0. Bobby Ryan, a Calder Trophy nominee for the league's top rookie, is a beast on the ice scoring two goals in the second period for the Ducks. After scoring the first goal, Ryan was checked into the boards by the teams' benches and his shoulder shattered the glass separating the teams. That led to a delay of more than 20 minutes while the maintenance crew cleaned up the shards and jerry-rigged a glass to separate the benches. When play resumed Ryan scored the second goal with Shark's goalie Evgeni Nabakov splayed out of position on the ice. This was the best game of the series for the Ducks who looked more like the overall one-seed than the Sharks. The Ducks will look to close out the series in San Jose on Saturday and face the defending champs Detroit Red Wings in the second round.
LA Angels defeat Detroit Tigers 10-5. The Tigers returned the favor to the Angels by having their bullpen collapse in the seventh inning. After the Tigers scored three to come within a run at 6-5, the Angels took advantage of reliever Eddie Bonine paper cutting him to the tune of four runs. With the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh Chone Figgins did the unthinkable and bunted. What's more incredulous is the fact that it worked. First baseman Miguel Cabrera had trouble fielding the ball and made a bad throw to the pitcher. Not only was Figgins safe on first, two runs had scored. The Angels win the series and look to put some hurting on the Seattle Mariners over the weekend.
Notable Note
Tonight's Action
LA Dodgers at Colorado Rockies. Eric Stults vs. Aaron Cook. 6:10 pm KCAL9, AM 790 KABC.
Seattle Mariners at LA Angels. Erik Bedard vs. Shane Loux. 7:05 pm FSWest, AM 830 KLAA/AM 980 KFWB.
