Kirilenko leads Jazz to 123-115 overtime win over Lakers, tying series
By DOUG ALDEN | Associated Press | May 11, 08 5:51 PM CDT in
Sports
Andrei Kirilenko blocked Kobe Bryant twice in overtime and converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining as the Utah Jazz beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-115 on Sunday, tying the Western Conference semifinals at 2-2.
The Jazz went 8-for-8 from the foul line in overtime and outscored the Lakers 15-7 in the extra 5 minutes.
Deron Williams had 29 points and 14 assists, while Carlos Boozer scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half and grabbed 12 rebounds. Mehmet Okur added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Kirilenko finished with 15 points and five blocks _ stuffing Bryant twice as the Lakers tried to rally in overtime.
Bryant finished with 33 points and 10 assists.
Game 5 is Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Utah was 40-for-76 (53 percent) and had a huge advantage at the foul line, making 37 of 45 free throws. The Lakers got only 25 attempts from the line and missed 11 of them. The Jazz reserves also dominated the Lakers', outscoring them 39-16.
Los Angeles rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final four minutes to force overtime. Derek Fisher scored 10 straight for the Lakers and blocked a shot by Williams just before the end of regulation with the score tied at 108.
The Lakers struggled in overtime and didn't score until a layup by Bryant with 1:10 remaining cut Utah's lead to 112-110. Los Angeles almost forced the Jazz into a shot clock violation before Kyle Korver got off a shot from the corner just in time. The ball bounced off the rim right to Okur, who passed it back outside to Williams, and Utah was able to burn some time before Williams slipped a pass to Kirilenko, who dunked it while getting fouled by Lamar Odom.
Kirilenko made the free throw to put Utah up by five and the Jazz hit the rest of their free throws to clinch it.
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