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Homecourt advantage has been at a premium during the NBA playoffs, and the Western Conference semifinals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz has been a prime example of this. With the home team coming out on top in each game so far, the Lakers will be ecstatic to head back to the Staples Center on Wednesday to host Game 5 of this series, which is tied at two games apiece. The NBA betting line on the Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz is Lakers -8.5 at BetOnline.com. The Jazz shot an outstanding 52.4% from the field in Game 4's 123-115 overtime win at home, powered by a 9-for-13 performance from Deron Williams, who had 29 points and 14 assists in the contest. Williams' 14 dimes was at the heart of a ball-moving clinic from the Jazz, who handed out 32  assists to the Lakers' 20. Six Utah players reached double digits in the win, and their bench outscored the Lakers' reserves 39-16, led by Kyle Korver's 14 points. If there is a negative that can be taken away from this game, it was the play of Carlos Boozer, who regressed after a monster effort in Game 3. Boozer had 14 points and 12 rebounds, but it was a far cry from his 27-point, 16-board performance in the previous game. The Total on the Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz game is 213.5 ponts.The Lakers got a health scare from MVP Kobe Bryant, who put up a game-high 33 points despite struggling with a bad back. That back injury may have came from carrying the Lakers, as Bryant's teammates struggled mightily, especially in overtime. Lamar Odom had 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Pau Gasol added 23 points and ten boards, but it was Bryant scored five of the Lakers' seven points in the extra period. As good as Bryant is, he cannot win this series on his own.
The Lakers have the advantage in this contest, due to their two wins at home earlier in the series, combined with the Jazz's season-long woes away from home. The Jazz turn into a tentative, tense bunch when they are on the road, and it seems as though Williams is the only one to be aggressive. Meanwhile, Bryant will battle through the pain of his sore back, and most likely will put up a brilliant performance. Look for Gasol and Odom to give more help than they did in Utah as the Lakers take a 3-2 series lead with a win on Wednesday.
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