Oakland and Salt Lake City are two cities that couldn’t be more different. Oakland is 35% black, Salt Lake City is 2% black. Warriors fans get hyphy after games, Jazz fans wind down with some Coltrain. The Golden State Warriors are a run-and-gun team. The Utah Jazz pound the rock inside and play physical. They couldn’t be more different but somehow, this series couldn’t be any better. Last night was the second great game of the series, won by the Jazz in overtime, 127-117.

When you compare the series the Warriors had with Dallas and the battle they’re currently facing in the Jazz, the differences are very obvious. Utah, like Dallas, has great big men. The Mavs had Dirk, the Jazz have Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur. But unlike Nowitzki, Boozer hasn’t looked like a deer in headlights against the Warriors. Unlike Avery Johnson, coach Jerry Sloan hasn’t allowed Golden State to set the tempo. Nobody on the Warriors can stop Boozer and the Jazz know it. He ended the night with 30 points and 13 rebounds.

Along with some great basketball, this series has produced a great story. Veteran point guard Derek Fisher didn’t fly into Salt Lake City until the third quarter. He had other things going on, things far bigger than a game of basketball. His baby daughter was in New York undergoing cancer surgery. Fisher entered the game to a standing ovation and hugs from both teams. Then he hit a crucial three pointer in the Jazz’s win.

The series now leaves Salt Lake City and heads to the raucous Oracle Arena for the next two games. This series is shaping up to be the best of the playoffs. We’re seeing two clashing styles and real high scoring. We’re even seeing the return of Andrei Kirilenko’s game! AK47 turned in a brilliant game two, compiling 20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 blocks. It’s up to Baron Davis and his crew to send this thing back to Utah tied at two. Game three is Friday night.