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The shots stopped dropping early for the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter of the team's 101-77 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
It was like a dripping faucet that suddenly got fixed. Gone were the easy shots near the basket as well as their ability to execute their offense.
The Lakers, down by four at half time, led by one as they took the court for the fourth. The Jazz scored on two free throws by Paul Millsap and didn't score another point until more than six minutes had ticked off the game clock. The Lakers went on a 20-0 run during that time.
In all, the Lakers held the Jazz to six points in the quarter, something they hadn't done against any team since December,1999 against the Clippers.
This wasn't average to good defense, this was truly lock down stuff. Multiple 24-second clock violations by the Jazz only added to their shooting woes. They looked like they ran out of gas but in truth they were taken by surprise by the Lakers' willingness to work hard and hustle.
Who could blame them? This is a rare occurrence for Laker fans and the crowd gave the guys a standing ovation for their clamp-down on the defensive side.
Head coach Phil Jackson was pleased with the performance, telling media, "That was a real burst we had. That was an amazing quarter".
The team's nine-game winning streak was on the line and at one point the Jazz ran past them to lead 63-55 in the third quarter. Easy low post shots were the problem for the Lakers caused in great part by the Jazz's dominance on the offensive boards.
That all ended in the fourth. Jerry Sloan looked like he needed to be restrained as he watched his team crumble in a game they could have won. Things were working so well for the Lakers that Sasha Vujacic got significant minutes on the floor outside of garbage time.
He subbed for Kobe when Phil rested his star at the beginning of the fourth quarter. With Pau Gasol and Bryant on the bench the rout began. What a nice change of pace for a team that has held big leads that dwindle when the bench players take over.
The Lakers will next host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. Wolves head coach Kurt Rambis will make his Staples Center debut with the team.
Prior to last night's game, Phil Jackson said he'd likely have lunch with Kurt. When asked what the tone of the lunch will be Jackson said he fully expected his former assistant coach wouldn't be as happy and joking as he used to be.
The Timberwolves' record stands at 3-19. Welcome to being the man Kurt.
For more info: Colin Ward-Henninger cover the Lakers for Examiner.com, here
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