So far in this second-round series, the Lakers have shot 89 free throws (and made 73). They had as many attempts from the charity stripe in Game 1 (46) as the Jazz have in both games combined. L.A. had 27 more free throws in Game 2 than Utah. "That's a little unusual, but that's part of it. That's what they call," Sloan said of the discrepancy. "I guess because we're a big, physical team they (officials) have some concern, some reason (to believe) we're going to foul before we start."

Sloan, who has complained publicly less than Lakers coach Phil Jackson about the officiating, said the Jazz won't take it to the league office.

"They're going to call it how they want to anyway. I don't worry about myself about all that stuff.

I think other coaches do a great job of that," he said. "I have too many fights with those people, so what good's it going to do me?"

Guard Deron Williams credited Kobe Bryant for being aggressive and getting to the free-throw line. But he admitted to being less than pleased with how the first two games of the series were called.

"I don't feel like we're getting the same calls," he said.

ONE GAME AT A TIME: For the Utah Jazz, who trail the Lakers 2-0, this isn't a seven-game series right now. Tonight's game is all that matters.

"Gotta get the first one. Get the first one (tonight), and then we'll worry about the rest of them later," Jazz forward Carlos Boozer said. "The most important game is Game 3 at home (tonight)."

ROUGH QUARTERS: You might not know it from their first two losses against the Lakers, but the Jazz are aware basketball isn't like hockey. There aren't just three periods, there are actually four quarters. Playing a complete game — all 48 minutes — is a high priority for Utah heading into tonight's Game 3.

"If we could play the one quarter that we've been lacking in both games, we'd have a different outcome," Jazz forward Carlos Boozer said. "I still think we played three good quarters in both games. We've got to put together four quarters to win."

In Game 1, Utah was outscored 29-17 in the pivotal second quarter. The Lakers jumped out to a 33-18 lead after the first quarter Wednesday. The Jazz have outscored L.A. by six points in the other six quarters combined.

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Contributing: Linda Hamilton, Jody Genessy