Bryant Scores 38, Lakers Hold Off Jazz 109-98

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, in Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz, scored 38 points - which depending on your point of view about Bryant is either a big deal or old hat. But what’s impressive about the 38 points that he scored is that he went to the free throw line 23 times (making 21 free throws, a franchise record). Inany case, Bryant’s 38 helped Los Angeles hold off Utah 109-98 at Staples Center.

Both teams played fairly close in the first quarter as the Lakers took a 25-24 lead into the second quarter; Los Angeles would gradually heat up as they outscored Utah 29-17 - with Bryant scoring 24 first-half points - in going into halftime leading 59-41. The Lakers would hold a 68-49 lead early in the third quarter before the Jazz would go on a 15-3 run to get back in the game; Los Angeles’ lead would be 91-82 before a 3-pointer by Utah’s Kyle Korver and a jumper by Ronnie Brewer would make it 91-87 with 4:44 left to go. A basket by Lamar Odom and a free throw by Bryant made it 94-87 with 3:28 remaining in the game; Utah would get to within 5, courtesy of a pair of free throws by Deron Williams, but 3 baskets by Pau Gasol in a span of 68 seconds iced the game for the Lakers.

Los Angeles’ leading scorer was the aforementioned Bryant with 38 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal while Gasol scored 18 with 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks; Odom added 16 with 9 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and 2 blocks while Sasha Vujacic, from off the bench, chipped in with 15 points and 4 rebounds. Utah was led by Mehmet Okur with 21 points, 19 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal while Carlos Boozer scored 15 with 14 rebounds, 4 assists, but committing 7 turnovers; Williams nearly recorded a triple-double as he added 14 with 9 rebounds, 9 assists and a steal. Los Angeles, with a 1-0 lead in this best-of-7 series, hosts Utah again on Wednesday at Staples Center; tip-off is at 10:30 PM (EST).