Los Angeles ? Jazz forward Carlos Boozer insisted he learned from some combination of his own offensive struggles and the Los Angeles Lakers' defensive approach against him in a playoff series last May, and he generally looked much better in Sunday's Game 1 at Staples Center.
Boozer's 27-point effort -- including 25 through three quarters -- matched his production from last year's Game 3, which was the only time in that series that he showed his All-Star form of that season. This clearly was Boozer's best game since December, before injuries caused him to miss about half of this season. He ran well, hit mid-range jump shots and finished plays around the basket, taking advantage of Deron Williams' nice passes.
"He got good looks," said Lakers forward Pau Gasol. "We started off pretty well, but he got himself going."
Boozer's 11-for-16 shooting game included a 5-for-6 effort in the third quarter, when he scored 14 points and helped the Jazz to a 33-24 advantage after they trailed by 22 points at halftime in an eventual 113-100 loss. Gasol, who fouled out late in the game, was disappointed that the Lakers fouled Boozer so often -- although he was awarded only six free throws.
Boozer attributed his success to an attitude of "being aggressive, attacking," and he also felt healthy and better able to jump, a day short of eight weeks since he returned to action following knee surgery.
In last spring's six-game series, Boozer averaged 16.0 points and shot barely 40 percent from the field. Having studied videotapes of those games, he professed before Game 1 to have discovered ways to deal with the Lakers' defense, and succeeded by moving the ball and getting return passes that gave him scoring chances Sunday.
With a chance to become a free agent this summer, if he opts out of the remaining year of his Jazz contract, Boozer also undoubtedly is using this series as an audition for other teams. In any case, the Jazz can benefit from his effort, as long as they last.
kkragthorpe@sltrib.com Now and then
Jazz forward Carlos Boozer's only decent shooting effort against the Lakers in last spring's playoffs came in a Game 3 victory. Here's how his performance Sunday compared:
