Another day, another game, and another win for our Los Angeles Lakers. The only difference? This is the Playoffs Baby! Sunday afternoon brought the Jazz to the Staples Center along with high temperatures which made the Southland feel ablaze. Well, the Lakers followed suit and shot the lights out in the first half. Of course, they can’t take all the credit for a 22 point lead at halftime. For a team that is consistently described as “tough” and “physical”, the Jazz sure did let the Lakers score easily. Trevor Ariza, who is known more for his defense than scoring, lit up the Jazz for a playoff career high and scored 21, with 10 of those points coming in the first quarter, and 8 of those in the first 4 minutes. As many Jazz fans would agree, this Jazz team isn’t tough, and is Greg Ostertag soft.

What impressed me most about this game was Kobe Bryant. (What a surprise right?) But it wasn’t the 24 points coming in turn around baseline jumpers or monster dunks that impressed me most. It wasn’t even the 8 assists he posted. It was simply his patience. He didn’t force any shots and played completely in control of his game. When Kobe shows that type of intelligence on the court the Lakers usually follow suit. When he gripes and complains about calls or doesn’t run back to defend after a turnover the team also follows suit. He sets the mind frame for this team, and the Lakers feed of his energy. Last night, he showed his complete game without really breaking a sweat.

Another guy who barely broke a sweat last night was Mr. Gasol. The guy never disappoints. He owned the Jazz and his stat line showed it. 20 points 9 boards and 4 blocks. People may not realize this, but Pau Gasol isn’t only one of the best players in the NBA, but also in the world. You don’t get to do Nike commercials with Rafael Nadal and Ronaldinho by being average.

The Jazz did make a run in the second half and managed to but the lead to nine. But if you watch the Lakers religiously (as I do), then you knew the Lakers were once again being the Lakers. Meaning the only reason the Jazz got back into the game was because the Lakers let them. When the Lakers want , they can turn on their lock down defense. This is usually against teams who they feel are a legitimate threat, such as the C’s or Cavs. Teams like the Jazz simply don’t threaten the Lakers. I laughed when I heard people *cough* Charles Barkley *cough* say that the Lakers would rather not play the Jazz. Please. This isn’t last year’s Lakers.

Game two is on Tuesday. Here are a few numbers from worth noting about yesterday’s game.

*66 percent shooting in the first half for the Lakers.

*56 percent shooting for the game, Lakers.

*47 percent from the three for the Lakers.

*39 percent shooting for the Jazz.

*23 percent from beyond the arc for the Jazz.

*+20 -For Guard Shannon Brown who scored all his points (9) from downtown.

*17 assists for D-Will. Wow.