Two of the top teams in the league (record-wise) squared off yesterday when the Lakers visited the Jazz. L.A. had a six-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter, but were unable to hold off Utah’s run, losing the game, 114-108. Carlos Boozer led all scorers with 31 points and also cleared a game-high 16 rebounds. He is displaying an excellent touch around the rim and has added a beautiful fade away jumper to his arsenal. For the Lakers, Kobe dropped 27 while Lamar Odom added 26 in the loss. It looks like Kwame Brown might be taking over in the middle for Andrew Bynum. Brown got 33 minutes to Bynum’s 14. It seems that Phil Jackson will continue to start Bynum for the time being and let his play early in the game determine his minutes…The other big matchup last night pitted the Mavericks against the Spurs, which is arguably the best rivalry in the league right now. The Mavs won a tight one, 95-92, behind 31 points and 10 rebounds from Dirk Nowitzki. Tim Duncan played well for the Spurs, posting 29/6 in the loss. Interestingly, the Spurs decided not to use newly acquired Francisco Elson to cover Nowitzki. Instead, the team used Fabricio Oberto to cover him, and in turn, he got used.