The Los Angeles Lakers fully expected Karl Malone to have a big game Saturday after a subpar performance Thursday.
It was Bryon Russell who hit them like a blitzing linebacker from the blind side in Utah's 110-95 victory in the Forum.The Laker setback is bad news to music lovers with discriminating taste everywhere. Shaquille O'Neal is now just one loss away from having tons of time to record another rap album.
"Karl Malone scoring 42 points was a big factor, but we could have withstood that," said Lakers coach Del Harris. "The biggest key of the game was Bryon Russell coming up big."
It wasn't just a big game for Russell, it was a career game. The fourth-year forward had never scored more than 23 points in an NBA outing. He had 29 Saturday to help the Jazz earn a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 series. As if the scoring weren't enough, Russell also led Utah with 10 rebounds.
"They shot the ball very, very well," said O'Neal, "especially Bryon Russell."
Even Robert Horry, who made 7-of-7 3-pointers in Game 2, was impressed with his counterpart at small forward. "You expect that kind of night out of Karl Malone. What you don't expect is a guy to come out and get a career high during the playoffs. The person that really hurt us was Bryon Russell."
While Russell made four 3-pointers, a couple of his biggest buckets came on the inside.
Perhaps the pivotal play of the day came after the Lakers had gone on a 9-0 run to cut the gap to four points, 89-85, midway through the fourth quarter. The Forum fans were going nuts. The Laker Girls were bringing on da funk and bringing on da noise during a Jazz-called timeout. Jack Nicholson was smiling his killer Joker smile.
On Utah's next possession Malone even missed a jumper, but instead of the Lakers heading out on a fast break, Russell was there for a big rebound and put-back hoop.
Not only had he stopped the Laker run, he had silenced the crowd.
Russell "got two follow-ups off of missed baskets that were critical," said Harris.
For the Lakers to survive, they would now would have to do something they haven't done since 1994 - and they'd have to do it twice. They'd have to win in the Delta Center, where they have lost seven straight, both Monday and next Saturday, with a Wednesday night win in between in L.A.
"If we would have won today we would have been in great shape," said Harris. "Since we lost, we're in dire straits."
Also in dire straits may be Harris' relationship with point guard Nick Van Exel. The pair had words on the bench after Van Exel was pulled from the game just two minutes into it with the Lakers holding a 2-0 lead.
"I don't want to talk about it," said Van Exel. "Talk to Del. He made the decision. Go talk to him."
Harris said the reason Van Exel got the quick hook was so that his replacement, Kobe Bryant, could relay a message from the coaches to forward Elden Campbell. The Laker coach also pointed out that Van Exel played 42 minutes, second on the team to O'Neal's 43.
Differences with the coach or not, Van Exel wants the season to continue past Monday. He hasn't yet given up hope.
"People make up so many excuses for us. They say we're too young or whatever, but I don't like the excuses," he said Saturday after the loss. "I think we're ready right now to win the championship."