After the Jazz went 37-4 during the regular season at Energy Solutions Arena–with one of the losses coming at the hands of L.A.–the Lakers are grateful they have home court advantage in the series, but welcome the challenge of playing in front of one of the toughest crowds in the NBA.
“I think in terms of their personnel, they play really well on their home court…I think that the energy that’s in the building, the fans are excited, the players are really excited,” said Derek Fisher, who spent last season as a member of Utah’s Western Conference Finals runner-up squad.
“At times, I think their intensity in their building is one that isn’t equaled or matched anywhere else. I don’t think it’s the altitude or anything else, I just think that the Jazz play at an intensity on their home floor that’s different sometimes from any other place. It’s always been that way for as far as I can remember.”
Coach Jackson–well accustomed to the Salt Lake City crowd from his days with the Bulls–said, “The energy they play with, the crowd sits on top of the floor, it’s as noisy as any place you’ve ever been in. It energizes the team, it intimates referees who go in there to referee the games. It’s tough—it’s a tough environment to win in.”
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