By Josh Cohen

May 9, 2008: SCOREBOARD | IN FOCUS GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE

PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
BEAR, the Jazz's famous mascot, soars to the rim for a monster slam during Utah's significant Game 3 triumph against Los Angeles on Friday. You have to love NBA mascots. Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
Mike Brown "It's not over until somebody wins four games. Game 3 is its own entity. We've got to go out and get energized from our crowd and get a win."
-- Cavs coach Mike Brown on Saturday's Game 3 showdown with the Celtics.
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Friday's top play: Kobe Bryant collects his own miss and flushes one home.
  • Haier Play of the Day
  • Dunk of the Night
  • Block of the Night
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  • Assist of the Night
  • Steal of the Night
  • NBA TV Top 10
    • NBA.COM'S FANTASY TAKE
    Dwight Howard Have you already predicted who will win each conference semifinals series? Do you still believe the Celtics and Pistons are destined to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals or do you believe the Cavaliers and/or Magic can overcome 2-0 series deficits? If you are siding with the Celtics to win their series, go with a Cavalier for Drive to the Finals – perhaps LeBron James. If you are siding with the Pistons, go with a Magic – perhaps Dwight Howard. If you are siding with either the Cavs and/or Magic, select a Celtic or Piston – perhaps Ray Allen or Rasheed Wallace.
    SHOOTING STUDS
    Mehmet Okur Mehmet Okur, Jazz
    104-99 win vs. Lakers
    22 pts, 8-14 FG, 4-7 3-pt FG

    Carlos Boozer, Jazz
    104-99 win vs. Lakers
    27 pts, 12-21 FG

    Kobe Bryant, Lakers
    104-99 loss at Jazz
    34 pts, 10-20 FG, 14-17 FT
    STAT SHEET STUFFER
    Lamar Odom Lamar Odom reminds me of Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell. He is an extremely underrated character for the success of the show. Kobe Bryant is like Zack Morris (the star) and Pau Gasol is a perfect A.C. Slater (second option). But Lamar is a character who provides lift at most dire times. The New York native posted 13 points, 12 boards, two blocks, an assist and a steal, but L.A. lost for the first time in the playoffs.
    SHOOTING DUDS
    Sasha Vujacic Sasha Vujacic, Lakers
    104-99 loss at Jazz
    0 pts, 0-3 FG, 0-2 3-pt FG

    Jordan Farmar, Lakers
    104-99 loss at Jazz
    0 pts, 0-6 FG, 0-3 3-pt FG

    Ronnie Brewer, Jazz
    104-99 win vs. Lakers
    6 pts, 1-5 FG
    JAZZ FIND THEIR UTAH RHYTHM
    Carlos Boozer Ways to describe the Jazz’s homecourt: earsplitting, riveting, intense, echoing, challenging for the opposition

    Ways to describe the Jazz’s leading duo: collective, trusting, organized, challenging for the opposition (again)

    There are countless reasons why the Jazz were an NBA-best 37-4 at home during the regular season, and there may be even more rationale as to why Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams are very much like Karl Malone and John Stockton. After dropping the first two in L.A., the Jazz edged the Lakers on Friday in Game 3 to trim the series deficit to 2-1. Boozer notched 27 points, including three clutch baskets late in the game, and 20 rebounds, while Williams, who jammed his right wrist in the first half, tallied 18 points and 12 assists. Utah shot a blistering 50 percent from the field and dished out seven more team assists than L.A. The home team in the conference semifinals improved to a perfect 11-0.
    ANNIVERSARY OF FISHER'S DRAMATIC RETURN
    Derek Fisher There have been several heartwarming moments in NBA history. Willis Reed valiantly walking onto the Madison Square Garden floor in Game 7 of the 1970 Finals and Isiah Thomas scoring 43 despite a severely sprained ankle in Game 6 of the 1988 Finals are some of the league’s most poignant memories. One of the more recent moving moments, nonetheless, came last season when Derek Fisher returned to Utah after his daughter had a tumor removed in New York during Game 2 of the Jazz’s series with the Warriors. Upon his arrival, Fisher received a rousing ovation from the fans and a few high-fives and hugs from teammates. He capped the dramatic night with a 3-point dagger late in overtime to seal Utah’s triumph.

    On the one-year anniversary of his heroic return, Fisher was back in Utah – expect this time as a Laker. He finished with 13 points in Friday’s Game 3 defeat, but it sure was an emotional night for the 11-year pro.