Kobe can't save Lakers in Salt Lake City

Overall, the Lakers shot well enough to win (48.5 percent) although their long-ball game was off (5-for-23). Also, they missed three critical free throws (one each by Bryant, Odom and Fisher) in the last five minutes of the game.

Besides their failure to play consistent defense, run their offense, capture crucial defensive rebounds (including letting Boozer rebound his own missed free throw and dribble uncontested to the hoop for a layup), hit their treys and avoid over-handling the ball, the Lakers were doomed to defeat by their 18 turnovers. What's even more painful was that most of their turnovers were self-inflicted — passes going nowhere, various bumblings and fumblings or a blatant (and unnecessary) elbow to Kyle Korver's chops applied by Kobe.

Here's another telling stat: The Lakers registered only 14 assists on their 32 buckets, compared to 21 on 39 for the Jazz.

The most painful realization for the Lakers is that, even though they played poorly and were disorganized on both ends of the court, they were still a big play or two away from stealing the game.

Jazz

Boozer was a monster — 12-for-21, 20 rebounds, 3 assists, 27 huge points. He was by turns a bully in the paint and a solid screener, while also showing a tender touch on his jumpers (but not on his free throws). In fighting off the Lakers' last-gasp challenge, it was Boozer who slipped a low screen-and-roll and hit a lefty jump-hook before clinching the win with a pair of stop-and-pop short-range jumpers.

Deron Williams was aggressive no matter who defended him. (Steve C. Wilson / Associated Press)

Williams did a masterful job directing the offense — 6-for-12, 12 assists, only 2 turnovers, and 18 points. He was particularly effective either shooting or turning the corner when the Lakers' bigs failed to show on either side of Utah's foul line-level screen-and-rolls.

Ronnie Brewer was active near the hoop but couldn't hide his awkward, rim-rattling jumper — 1-for-5, 6 points. Nor was he particularly adept at containing Kobe (who is?) when the newly minted MVP decided to attack the rim.

Okur's long-range bombing was mixed with an occasional drive — 8-for-14, including 4-for-7 on 3-balls, for 22 points.

Andrei Kirilenko played OK defense but earned his paycheck with his constant moving without the ball. In fact, the Jazz set many more double- and staggered screens from the foul-line-extended and below. Kirilenko, Matt Harpring and Korver routinely foiled the Lakers defense with their perpetual curls, pops, dive-cuts, and cross-lane cuts.

Utah's offense featured much more player- and ball movement than did L.A.'s — as demonstrated by their 50 percent shooting. And the home team's ball-hawking defense was instrumental in preventing the Lakers from synchronizing their offense.

Here's a final set of numbers that proved just how active the Jazz were from baseline to baseline: Utah had 17 layups and converted 14, whereas the Lakers were 8-for-14.

For Game 3, the Lakers both stumbled on their own inefficiency and were also tripped up by Utah's superior play — and not even Kobe could pull off the necessary miracle.