The 2008-2009 NBA regular season was a disappointment for Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer. After back to back incredibly productive campaigns as well as a role on the “Redeem Team” that won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Boozer was plagued by injuries this season. The veteran played in just 37 games and his absence was a major reason that the Jazz ended up as the eighth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Although a player can not make up for an 82 game season with one game, Boozer kept his team’s Post Season hopes alive Thursday night as he led the club to an 88-86 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Booz became the first member of the Association’s most exclusive clique in this year’s Playoffs by making the “20-20 Club.” He had a game high 23 points along with 22 boards for the contest. The victory is the first for the Jazz after dropping the first two game at the Staples Center.

This was a game with very little middle ground for either team as they both basically went from feast to famine and back again. Utah came out scoring in the first quarter while shutting the Lakers down and grabbed a 26-17 advantage at the end of the period. Los Angeles were able to shut down the Jazz in the second quarter and were able to shave off some of the Jazz lead. However Utah still walked in to the locker room at the half on top 43-39.

The Lakers came out smoking in the third and took over the game. Trevor Ariza with 4:31 on the clock connected on a 24 foot trey to give L.A. a 64-51 advantage. However the Jazz were able to get back to within single digits by the conclusion of the quarter trailing 68-60. Utah would catch up early in the fourth and the opponents traded off the lead throughout the period. It all came down to one shot as Deron Williams drained a mid-range jumper with 2 seconds left for the winning hoop.

Carlos Boozer recorded a double-double dropping 23 points, grabbing 22 boards, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal in the Utah victory. Deron Williams, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver and Matt Harpring all scored in double figures for the Jazz.

Lamar Odom led the way for the Lakers as the forward came off the bench and had a double-double with 24 points, 14 boards, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 steal. Pau Gasol added 20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist and 1 block while Kobe Bryant knocked down 18 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. The Lakers lead the series 2-1 with game four Saturday in Utah.

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