Utah Jazz: Helping and happy — Kirilenko having big impact on court

Ten games into the Utah Jazz's NBA playoffs run, several of forward Andrei Kirilenko's averages are down a touch from what he had in the regular season.

But Kirilenko is still playing well and has had big impact with bursts like he exhibited in the last two home games — both wins for the Jazz over the Los Angeles Lakers to tie up the second-round series at two games each heading into Wednesday's battle at Staples Center — and in Game 2 at Los Angeles.

"I think his head's there," said Jazz special assistant coach Jeff Hornacek. "He's feeling pretty good about playing. Usually it's a sign if he's struggling a little if he's not active, but he's been active in the playoffs. He's got a lot of blocks. That's what we want from him is just to be active."

Twice in Sunday's 123-115 win at EnergySolutions Arena, Kirilenko put his stamp on important stretches of the first quarter and the overtime, when the Jazz first pulled ahead with the help of two Kirilenko baskets, three free throws and two blocked shots. In overtime, he added two more blocks plus a reverse layup on which he was fouled and made the free throw to give Utah a five-point lead with 35.5 seconds left.

In Game 3 Friday at ESA, a 104-99 Jazz win, Kirilenko had a layup and a block as Utah started to overcome what was an eight-point Laker lead early in the first quarter, and his back-to-back baskets — a tip-in and a driving layup, helped Utah hold a nine-point lead early in the third quarter.

In Game 2 at Los Angeles, he had three baskets, an assist, a steal and a blocked shot in the first 4 1/2 minutes to help keep Utah tied in a game it eventually lost 120-110.

They were his three best-scoring games — 12 and 15 points on 5-for-9 and 4-for-4 shooting at home and 14 points on 6-for-13 shooting at Staples — since the playoff opener April 19 when he had 21 at Houston. He has had five straight double-figure scoring games.

"He's been aggressive this playoffs — offensively, defensively," said Jazz point guard Deron Williams. "Just his energy level is what we're feeding off of right now."

Coach Jerry Sloan said, "I thought Andrei played very well in the game (Sunday). He didn't get a lot of rebounds and stuff, but he did a lot of things well to help us win."

Sunday was Kirilenko's second five-block Sunday game in the series.

Kirilenko said he tries to be valuable at important times. "In the beginning you kind of set up the tone, and especially when you finish the game. I'm very concentrated on starting the game and, like, finish (of) the game. Sometimes when you're down like five, 10 points, you need to spend that energy to get them back.