EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City is one of the loudest NBA arenas in which to play. The Utah Jazz use it to their advantage and it shows with their 39-5 home record this season.

My ears were ringing hours after the Jazz 123-115 overtime win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Although it was a rare Sunday game, the Jazz needn't worry about having their fans fill the stands and help cheer them on.

One fan held up a sign that read, "We love Booz -- Even on Sunday." Jazz owner Larry H. Miller requested that the Jazz not play home games on Sundays due to his religious affiliation. However, come playoff time the NBA has to fit in games wherever it chooses.

There were thousands of people swarming ESA prior to the game. It looked as if General Conference was taking place up the street at Temple Square, but the church-goers had traded in their white shirts and modest dresses for baby blue T-shirts and Jazz jerseys.

Even though it was Mother's Day, that didn't stop fans from going all out to support their team. Within the blue color of the crowd, a few bright yellow shirts and jerseys could be spotted. Apparently Lakers' fans wanted to be seen, but their cheering could easily be drowned out by a Jazz fan any day.

As I was walking up to the main concourse at ESA on Sunday afternoon before tip-off, I was approached by a young man who wanted to know where he could find ear plugs. Apparently I looked like I worked at the arena but told him I had no idea where they could be found. I noticed Desert News sports writer Brad Rock wearing a pair of ear plugs during Friday's game and a few other journalists doing the same on Sunday.

It may be because I'm young, but I don't mind being at a sporting event and the fans being loud. That's what they're supposed to do. It's distracting to the players from the other team and helps the Jazz boost their confidence so they can find a way to win.

Opposing teams know how difficult it is to play at ESA. A year ago this past Friday was the day then Jazz guard Derek Fisher was with his daughter and showed up during the third quarter of Game 3 against Golden State to help rally the Jazz to a win. Fisher received a standing ovation and was given some of the loudest applause heard in the arena.

That sentiment was not felt during the Jazz 104-99 Game 3 victory Friday at ESA. Every time Fisher -- or Kobe Bryant -- touched the ball, boos resonated from the lungs of Jazz fans. Booing from Jazz fans is sometimes louder than cheering. They're passionate and some might say they're vicious. However, they just want to help their team to win.

Although I feel Fisher betrayed the Jazz when he asked to be released from his contract last season so he could go some place better for his daughter -- did he not know about the Huntsman Cancer Institute -- the booing probably wasn't necessary.

It's too bad the Jazz don't have homecourt advantage throughout these playoffs, but they've shown they can win on the road too. They won the first two games on the road against Houston in the opening round. I'm sure it's more fun for the Jazz to play at home, they have to prove to the Lakers that they can win in L.A.

As a member of the press when attending Jazz games, it's unprofessional to cheer or show much emotion toward one team over another. When I'm at home watching a game, I yell, cheer and ask rhetorical questions to the television set. During the games on Friday and Sunday I did my best to refrain. A few times I felt like a fan, but remembered I was there doing my job. On Wednesday I will be sitting at home watching the game and cheering like every other Jazz fan.

Missy Thompson: missy@tooeletranscript.com