Picture Gallery (LADN)

May 11, 2008- EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City --- Despite Kobe Bryant's back problems and his shooting slump in the fourth quarter, the Lakers managed to come back and tie the game in regulation. But they had nothing to offer in overtime and the Jazz won it 15-7 for a final 123-115 and their second victory at Utah to tie the series 2-2.

It started with bad signs for L.A. On the Lakers' second possession of the game Kobe Bryant attempted a turnaround jumper and felt the pain when he landed. The back spasms would chase him all night and he had to stay on the floor a couple of times. Ronny Turiaf was ejected 2 minutes into the second quarter for badly sending Ronnie Price to the floor.

The Lakers trailed for most of the game and were down by 12 with four minutes to play, but Derek Fisher (booed as always) made three consecutive 3-pointers (all on assists from Bryant) and Lamar Odom followed Kobe's miss with a layup with 4.6 seconds left, then Fisher blocked Williams' 20-foot attempt just before time expired. After that, the Lakers collective play disappeared.

Kobe was strong enough to play 47 minutes and ended with 33 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists but he hurted his back again in the fourth while charging into Andrei Kirilenko and although he had 6 assists in that period, he missed 11 of his final 13 field goal attempts, including 6 in overtime, where it was not clear whether he had no teammate with the will to step up (that was suggested by Phil Jackson) or he was just not passing the ball despite missing his shots.

Lamar Odom had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Pau Gasol 23 and 10. Deron Williams led the Jazz again with 29 points and 14 assists, Carlos Boozer added 14 points (12 in the second half) and 12 rebounds. Mehmet Okur had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Kirilenko finished with 15 points and 5 blocks, 2 of them to deny Kobe's way to the basket in overtime.

Some key factors in the Lakers defeat: the team made just 14 of 25 free throws (56%) and their bench, usually very productive, was outscored by Utah's reserves 39-16. Point guards Fisher and Jordan Farmar combined for 0 assists in 47 minutes.

The extent of Kobe's injury remains unknown, though he said he would definitely when the series returns to Staples Center for Game 5 on Wednesday...