Kobe's Hurt, Turiaf Got the Boot and the Jazz Win Another in Utah

Even though the Lakers lost game 4 in Utah, this was the most entertaining game I have seen in the NBA playoffs this year.

The game seem out of hand for the Lakers in the first half with the Jazz taking control early, Ronny Turiaf getting ejected for a flagrant 2 on bench warmer Ronnie Price and Kobe injuring his back on the second play of the game, but the boys in purple and gold rallied and tied it up at the half with an amazing length of the court pass from Luke Walton to Kobe Bryant in the closing seconds.

Although the Lakers had momentum on their side coming into the second half, Deron Williams (is it just me or does this guy have the worst hair in the NBA?) and the Jazz were just too tough and Kobe was in obvious pain which resulted in lack of explosiveness and ill advised shots, but he was still able to score 33 points, grab 8 boards and dish out 10 assists; not bad for guy that looked like he couldn't even walk for more than half the game.

If it weren't for Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol down the stretch the Lakers would have lost this game early in the fourth quarter. Odom played quite possibly the best game I have ever seen him play, crashing the boards (13), hitting key shots (26 points)and really picking up the slack for an injured Kobe Bryant.

Derek Fisher hit 3 big threes in the fourth to cut into the Jazz lead and get the Lakers into overtime. Pau Gasol played well at the right time as well, scoring 23 points and rippin' down 10 boards, but it just wasn't enough to out play Deron Williams who continues to play great basketball with 29 points and 14 assists (starting to hate the kid for being so good).

The Jazz also had a lot from their bench with Kyle Korver (14), Matt Harpring (12) and their starters Kirilenko (15), Boozer (14) and Mehmet Okur (18).

Who wins in the other team's house will come out on top in this one, so if Kobe's health is still in question for Wednesday's game in LA, the Lakers could be in trouble.

NEXT LAKERS GAME: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers Weds, May 14th 7:30pm PST