MVP Kobe Bryant scores 34 points and Lakers beat Jazz 120-110 to take 2-0 lead in series
Associated Press | May 8, 08 12:35 AM CDT in
Sports
Kobe Bryant had 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists after receiving his first MVP award, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 120-110 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Lakers remain the NBA's only unbeaten team in the postseason.
The series shifts to Utah for Games 3 and 4 on Friday night and Sunday. The Jazz had an NBA-best 37-4 home record this season, but one of the losses was by 11 points to the Lakers on March 20.
Bryant received his Most Valuable Player trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern in a brief ceremony before the game.
Derek Fisher, who played for Utah last season, added 22 points, Pau Gasol scored 20 and Lamar Odom had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 57.4 percent from the field and made 35 free throws _ 22 more than the Jazz.
Deron Williams had 15 points to lead seven Utah players in double figures.
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