Kobe, Lakers Advance to Western Finals

He makes key block on Kobe, three-point play in victory over Lakers

(NEWSER) - 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 five minutes. More»

Boozer scores 27 to help Utah cut LA's lead to 2-1

(NEWSER) - Carlos Boozer broke out of his slump with 27 points and tied his career playoff-high with 20 rebounds, leading the Utah Jazz to a 104-99 victory over Los Angeles last night, cutting the Lakers' lead in the series to 2-1. It was the Lakers' first loss this postseason. Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal is Sunday at Utah. More»

Jazz get a date with Kobe's Lakers in the second round

(NEWSER) - Deron Williams scored 13 of his 25 points in the decisive third quarter, and the Utah Jazz beat Houston 113-91 on Friday to win the series 4-2 and knock the Rockets out of the playoffs in the opening round for the second straight year. Tracy McGrady scored 40 for the Rockets, but fell to 0-7 in playoff series in his career. More»

Lakers can't contain injury-depleted Utah, lose 120-96

(NEWSER) - Deron Williams had a career-best 35 points in Utah's unexpected blowout of the Lakers last night, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. Playing without the injured Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur, the rest of the Jazz stepped up, with Paul Millsap posting 20 points and Andrei Kirilenko putting up a triple-double of 20 points, 11 assists, and 11 boards. More»

(NEWSER) - So much for Kobe Bryant's sore lower back. Bryant scored 26 points, his teammates kept Utah at bay down the stretch, and Los Angeles Lakers extended the stunning home success by NBA teams in the second round of the playoffs, beating the Jazz 111-104 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. More»