Series Index:

Game 1: Lakers 113, Jazz 100 at L.A.		Game recap & pictures
Game 2: Lakers 119, Jazz 109 at L.A.		Game recap & pictures
Game 3: Jazz 88, Lakers 86 at Utah		Game recap & pictures
Game 4: Lakers 108, Jazz 94 at Utah		Game recap & pictures
Game 5: Lakers 107, Jazz 96 at L.A.		Game recap & pictures

Picture Gallery (LAT)

April 25 - STAPLES CENTER - LOS ANGELES. After misfiring badly in game 3, Kobe Bryant scored the Lakers' first 11 points to set the tone of a 108-94 L.A. victory at Utah. The Lakers lead the series 3-1 and return to L.A. to try to finish it on Monday.

In the second quarter the Lakers scored 40 points, including a 20-2 run that turned a 7-point deficit into a lead they never gave up.

Kobe finished with 38 points on 16-for-24 shooting. By halftime he had scored 24 making 10 of his 13 attempts and the Lakers were leading 60-53.

Utah got within 5 twice early in the third but the Lakers played good defense and limited the Jazz to 16 points in the quarter to basically end the game. Utah's fans were leaving midway throughout the fourth of what could be their final home gome of this 2008-09 season.

Andrew Bynum who was thought to be a key piece for the Lakers hasn't helped much so far and despite a couple of good games to end the season, his timing looks off and he has picked up so many quick fouls against the Jazz. That's why he was benched by coach Phil Jackson who put him on the floor just 7 minutes (2 points, 1 rebound). Pau Gasol playing center had 13 points and 10 rebounds while Lamar Odom returned to the starting lineup and was productive with 10 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists.

Deron Williams had 23 points and 13 assists and Carlos Boozer also scored 23 and pulled down 16 rebounds for the Jazz..

The Quotes

Deron Williams (Jazz): "Kobe Bryant was just spectacular. We couldn't get close enough to guard him, really. He just shot through us, over us, whatever it took... I think he just put them on his back, got them off to the way they wanted to play."

"Phil Jackson (LAL Coach): about Andrew Bynum, "How he's been playing, I think it might be better for him to come off the bench in this situation."

Kobe Bryant (Lakers): "Coming off that semi-bad performance—that horrible performance I had in that last game, it feels good to respond with a game like this.”

Deron Williams (Jazz): "The series is not over. We’ve still got a little hope, we know it’s going to be tough to win 3 in a row against these guys, but we should be playing free and loose".

Highlights