"We just kept trying to take it inside and go in the paint, whether it be on layups, fast breaks, post-ups ... That's the reason why we shot more free throws," the Jazz forward said. "If you put the onus on the refs, they're going to call calls if there's a foul there."

Even including Sunday, the Lakers (151) have attempted 32 more foul shots than the Jazz (119) through four games.

A GOOD SIGN?: Jazz players continue to be big fans of their fans, who were as rowdy as ever during Utah's two wins against the Lakers.

"They're just loud from the start, every play, every possession, every call," Williams said. "They're on the refs. They're on the opposing players. They're great. They've got great signs."

Williams didn't say which poster was his favorite.

But his comment might have been in reaction to Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who was quoted by the Los Angeles Daily News as saying, "I would be very concerned, if I was living in the Mormon community and the Salt Lake community, at the quality of those signs that were out there. They were rather amoral and probably a bit raucous — on Mother's Day and on Sunday."

JOB CANDIDATE? Jazz player personnel vice president Walt Perrin has been identified by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a possible candidate for the Atlanta Hawks' vacant general manager's position.

ALUMNI UPDATE: Ex-Jazz guard Mo Williams of the Milwaukee Bucks recently underwent surgery to repair ligament damage in his right thumb.

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Contributing: Jody Genessy

E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com