The Los Angeles Lakers played more like they were trying to avoid a sweep last night rather than complete one.
The Lakers stormed out to a 22-point lead in the first half, then withstood a brief surge by Utah in the third quarter before regaining control in the fourth and winning 111-96 on Monday night, sweeping the second-round series and advancing to the Western Conference finals for the third straight year.
Utah fans started leaving early and the small contingent wearing gold Lakers’ jerseys chanted “Sweep! Sweep! Sweep!” The Jazz hadn’t been swept since Golden State knocked them out 3-0 in the first round of the 1989 playoffs.
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