Is it time to worry? Not even Sir Charles can figure the Jazz out and I'm not sure anyone else can either. This first round Western Conference Playoff Series against the Houston Rockets has been a slugfest, resembling a boxing match more than a basketball game. Like it or not Rafer Alston has made a huge difference for the Rockets, taking precious defensive attention away from Tracy McGrady, giving "T-Mac" or is it "T-Moc," rest and opportunity. They have proved to be a very dangerous combination for the Jazz who came home to their Salt Lake Fortress of Triumph (37-4) and after two bouts against the ropes were lucky to leave with a split-decision.

Thursday the Jazz were "Yo Adrian" all night long, being out-shot, out-rebounded out-played and out-hustled by the entire Rocket arsenal. The Jazz lost the paint by a whopping 40-26 margin and left 13 free-throws floating in space, as the Rockets roared to new life 94-92.

Saturday the Jazz improved their defense, started rebounding and hit their free-throws, but their perimeter shooting failed them (0-14 from the arc) and they abandoned their offense and their third-quarter 16-point lead, letting McGrady and company back into the game down by 2 with mere seconds left on the clock. Standing at the abyss, Deron Williams (pronounced "Darin" for McGrady, whose name mispronunciation jab at Williams started the mouth wars for game five), missed both free throws as the crowd groaned in agony. But Mehmet Okur, who had 18 boards for the night, rescued a wayward McGrady ball slap off the backboard over Carl Landry and was fouled. Okur iced both free-throws rescuing his point-guard from humiliation and his team from a TKO at the bell 86-82.

So what now? Well tonight the Jazz are getting ready to tip-it-off in Houston no matter how many vows they made to never return, and they had better find some answers. Don't get me wrong, I believe the Utah Jazz are the better team. However, that being said, the Jazz can ill afford to continue to grope their way through this playoff series because the Rockets are talented enough to burn them all the way back to Salt Lake City for game six and then some.

So what are the answers? First, the Jazz must come "mentally prepared to play defense." Defense is a state of mind. My motto as a coach was, "Defense is Desire." If the Jazz can master that concept their next game will be in Los Angeles. Second, the Jazz must win the boards. If they are out-rebounded again they will lose. Third, the Jazz must have faith in their offense and stick to it. If they run their offense the way coach Jerry Sloan dictates, the paint war will belong to the Jazz and so will the game. Fourth, the Jazz must play fundamental basketball. They must hit their lay-ups, free-throws and no turnovers. It's that simple. Granted, Houston will come out swinging and try to hit the Jazz in the mouth and take them out of the game. The Jazz just have to toughen-up and swing right back at them. Basketball is a simple game -- whoever plays the hardest, smartest and toughest wins. It's all about attitude, mental conditioning and fundamental execution.

In the meantime, as the Jazz grope for answers tonight, the Lakers are taking a well deserved breather, laying back, getting a massage and sipping a California cooler. Kobe Bryant and the boys from L.A. beat the Denver Nuggets into dust. The Lakers are sound inside with their big center Pau Gasol, forward Lamar Odom and small forward Luke Walton. And outside they're deadly with Jazz defector Derek Fisher and the ever present Bryant. There's a reason why the Lakers are the number one team in the West and we are fixing to find out why as soon as we snuff out the Rockets. I'll see you from the sideline.