Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers Game 2 NBA Playoffs 2010 Picks & Predictions: The defending NBA champion (1-0) Los Angeles Lakers [-5½] got this series off on the right foot, as they defeated the relentless (0-1) Utah Jazz [+5½], 104-99 in Game 1. This game’s opening tipoff is scheduled for 10:40 PM ET from the STAPLES Center in Downtown LA and it’ll be broadcasted live on TNT Sports following the Hawks vs Magic game 1 contest. The OVER/UNDER for game 2 of the Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers is set at a combined total of 199 points scored.
The Purple and Gold faltered a bit at the end of game 1, when Kobe Bryant took it upon himself and carried his 
team to victory with his 31 points (12-for-19 shooting) 3 rebounds and 4 assists. With a huge surge by the Jazz, the reigning NBA Finals MVP made sure there was no upset in the series opener.
“You're not going to stop Kobe Bryant at this point,” legendary Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan said. “You can double him and try to make their big guys make a shot, but you just have to play a little harder and hope he'll miss a few. … He's learned a lot of tricks over the years, a lot of ways to score in a close game. It's a tougher task to defend him than almost anybody.”
The Lakers are dealing with lots of doubters this season, as not many people believe this team can repeat as champions. “It's a different team,” Bryant said. “We were much better offensively last year for whatever reason, but we've better defensively this year.”
One positive note for the Jazz is the potential return of Andrei Kirilenko for Game 2. After participating in the team’s full practice on Monday, the lanky Russian estimated his chances of playing in game 2 as “fifty-fifty”.
“He adds a lot of energy to their team,” Bryant said of Kirilenko. “He's a very good passer and an emotional defender.”
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