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Jazz-Sonics Game 4 Preview Malone will need support; Lakers-Kings warning signs
Posted: Wednesday May 03, 2000 03:34 PM
In a fight for their playoff lives, the Sonics need a replay of Game 3 -- an 11 point win over the Jazz in which Seattle was able to disrupt Utah's bread and butter, the pick and roll, and not allow Utah to get into its rhythm. Having written that sentence I dare anyone to diagram it. Sorry. As predictable as the Jazz attack can be, it remains effective, simply because they run it so well. Karl Malone still got his 30 in Game 3, but he needs some help from other sources, and usually that happens. It didn't Saturday. John Stockton took eight shots and hit one. Howard Eisley took seven shots, and missed 'em all. Bryon Russell followed 19 points in Game 2 with 10 in Game 3. Paul Westphal's penchant for changing his starting lineup has never been more obvious than in this series. Three games....three different fives out there to try and get it done. Vin Baker had a solid 15 points and 11 boards in Game 3; much needed for a guy who's found his personal struggle with depression fodder for Seattle writers who apparently spend their spare time dabbling in matters of the mind. No wonder Gary Payton urged reporters to "leave Vin alone." GP is a major threat every time he steps on the floor, and even more so in a "win or go home" setting like tonight's. The Sonics can take heart from the Kings forcing the Lakers into a fifth game, and the Jazz can view the Lakers lapse as a warning. Brent Barry says the Sonics have been "like sands through the hourglass" in recent weeks. Rest assured that if this show is gonna have a Game 5, the Sonics won't leave a grain in the hourglass by the end of 48 minutes tonight.
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