Lakers defeat Jazz, 120-110, in Game 2

May 7th, 2008, 10:26 pm · Post a Comment · posted by JANIS CARR, OCREGISTER.COM

On a night when the NBA celebrated Kobe Bryant’s magnificence, the other Lakers starters shined right along side him in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Three other Lakers scored in double figures to go with Bryant’s game-high 34 points in a 120-110 victory against the Utah Jazz and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series at Staples Center.
The series now shifts to Salt Lake City with Game 3 scheduled for Friday.
Derek Fisher scored 22 points, Lamar Odom had 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, while Pau Gasol added 20 points in the victory.
Unlike Game 1, the Lakers were more aggressive on the boards this time, keeping the margin close. Two nights ago, the Jazz outrebounded the Lakers by 17. On Wednesday, the Jazz held a 27-23 margin.
The Jazz managed to get within five (99-94) with 5:51 left, but couldn’t stop the Lakers on the other end of the court, and quickly found themselves back down by 10, 104-94, on Fisher’s 3-pointer with 4:41 remaining.
The Lakers got the Jazz into early foul trouble, namely Carlos Boozer, which limited him from having a huge impact and the team from building much momentum. Boozer has been struggling in the playoffs, his scoring average dropping from 21 points a game to 15.9 in the playoffs, and Wednesday wasn’t any better for the power forward.
Boozer, saddled with three fouls early in the second quarter, finished with 10 points.
Deron Williams led the Jazz with 25 points.

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