Lakers still kryptonite to streaking Jazz team

SALT LAKE CITY —

The Jazz may build bridges, climb mountains and sail oceans. They might even be able to turn back time and cure arthritis, for all we know.

But they'll still have that problem with no viable solution: the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Jazz's nine-game win streak screeched to a stop, Wednesday at ESA, compliments of you-know-what, playing without you-know-who.

Which raises an interesting thought: Could the Jazz beat the Lakers in the playoffs even if Kobe Bryant weren't around? Answer: Look at the box score. Following their 96-81 loss, the Jazz moved into the All-Star break with a fresh reminder that their old nemesis is still the town sheriff.

Nobody does anything unless the Lakers say so.

"They just kept putting it to us," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

The good news for the Jazz: Just one more game with L.A. the rest of the season.

What could have highlighted the hot streak the Jazz previously enjoyed? A win over the Los Angeles Lakers, naturally.

Nothing beats a beat-down of the Lakers.

But it wasn't to be. Which is normal.

So the Jazz enter the break at the end of the best streak of their season, having won 13 of the previous 14. They had to lose sometime, and who better suited to end it than Los Angeles? The Lakers ended the Jazz's season the last two years.

Truth is, the Jazz have been known to lose games to hurting teams. They lost once to Denver, even when the Nuggets were missing All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups (though they did beat Denver last week under the same conditions). They have claimed one win in their three games with L.A. this year, a 102-94 decision in December, but in that game Bryant was playing with a newly broken finger and a stomach ailment.

This time it was a loss to L.A., minus Bryant and fellow starter Andrew Bynum.

Until Wednesday, the new and improved Jazz seemed to have replaced the weary and worn Jazz. They were doing everything right, passing superbly, scoring efficiently and, most of all, defending adeptly.

Then they came home late Tuesday after beating the Clippers in Los Angeles, but opened against the Lakers by allowing uncontested drives and dunks. They shot an embarrassing 13-25 from the line and 2-13 from 3-point range.