The big question surrounding Wednesday night’s Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal between the Jazz and Lakers is that of Kobe Bryant’s injured back.
Kobe finished Game 4 with 33 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists, but was hampered by back spasms and struggled from the field, shooting 13- for-33, including 1-for-10 from beyond the arc.
Bryant has been undergoing round-the-clock treatment on his back since the injury. The NBA’s MVP didn't practice or even shoot on Tuesday but assured everyone he would be playing tonight.
Kobe hoped to get in some work at Wednesday’s shoot-around if his back permitted, but he was already pointing to tonight, regardless. "I think that the key is to try to know what you can and can't do," he said. "I don't think it will be that bad again, but if it is, I kind of know what I can and can't do."
Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he believes there's a possibility Bryant might not shoot that well, but added: "As long as he can play, we're satisfied. He'll do OK."
The Lakers, 8.5-point betting favorites (over/under: 213) on WagerWeb.com, are unbeaten at home in these playoffs but have dropped four straight Game 5s. However, Utah has lost two straight Game 5s in the postseason. The Jazz are 2-3 on the road in this year's playoffs.
The Lakers have won the last six games between the teams in Los Angeles and have a 16-3 record against the Jazz at Staples Center since the arena opened before the 1999-2000 season.
And the Lakers, losers of two straight in Utah, haven't lost three straight games since Pau Gasol's arrival in a Feb. 1 trade. Their last such losing streak came Jan. 23-27, when the Lakers lost on the road to San Antonio and Dallas and at home to Cleveland.Lakers reserve big man Ronny Turiaf, ejected with a flagrant-2 foul on Jazz backup point guard Ronnie Price in Game 4 of their NBA Western Conference semifinal series, will not be suspended for Game 5.
Price, clobbered by Turiaf on a drive to the basket in Sunday's second quarter, needed four stitches to close a cut over his right eye that was sustained after he hit his head on the floor.
L.A. needs to hope that starting point guard Derek Fisher doesn’t get into foul trouble tonight. Backup Jordan Farmar has had to play an expanded role in this series, with Fisher getting into early foul trouble in Games 3 and 4, and Farmar has struggled: He is 1-for-16 from the field and has gone scoreless in three of the four games.
Meanwhile, Lakers forward Trevor Ariza, who hasn't played since breaking his right foot in practice Jan. 20, was cleared Tuesday to practice with no restrictions. Jackson said no timetable has been set on when Ariza might play in a game.
Betting trends: Jazz are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. ... Jazz are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5. ... Lakers are 8-0-1 ATS in their last 9 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. ... Lakers are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall. ... Under is 4-1 in Jazz’s last 5 road games. ... Home team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings. ... Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.
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